Sensitive teeth are a common issue, which as many as 1 in 5 people may experience at some point in their life. The level of sensitivity will generally vary depending on the underlying cause.
Luckily, if you have sensitive teeth, you do not have to suffer in silence and our team can help!
Our team at Kings Dental Subiaco knows a large amount about treating dental sensitivity and can provide you with a number of solutions to reduce any discomfort that you feel when going about your daily life.
With that in mind, what are some of the most common causes of oral sensitivity that we see at Kings Dental Subiaco?
Acidic foods
Many people consume acidic foods, especially those who drink excessive amounts of coffee on their way into work, whilst also eating a lot of fruit and drinking wine. This can cause the enamel to wear down, which will heighten oral sensitivity by exposing the microscopic holes in the dentine to the air. At Kings Dental Subiaco, your dentist Subiaco, we always advise our patients to avoid consuming excessive amounts of acidic foods whenever possible. We will also provide you with fluoride sealants if needed to restore and prevent further damage to the teeth.
Cracks and chips
If you have a crack or chip in any of your teeth, it may cause extreme sensitivity, especially when you are consuming hot or cold drinks. This is because it is usually deep enough to expose the root or pulp of the tooth to the air. So when you drink a hot or cold beverage, it is almost like an overload for the tooth which will cause sensitivity. We can resolve cracks or chips in teeth with fillings and crowns, or even veneers.
Grinding
Grinding is usually something that occurs at night when you are asleep and is often the result of an orthodontic misalignment, particularly with the molar teeth. This can, over time, cause the enamel on the surface of your teeth to wear down and may expose the dentine to the air. This will then allow sensitivity to occur, but we can help prevent nocturnal grinding by providing mouthguards for you to wear when you go to bed, while also offering fluoride sealants to prevent the damage from worsening.
Gum disease
You may have oral sensitivity due to gum disease. This is usually as a result of the gums swelling and also receding away from the teeth, allowing the roots to become exposed to the surrounding stimuli especially if there is decay. If you notice that your gums are swollen or red alongside all sensitivity, then you need to see our team to have this assessed.
Dental whitening
Even if you are using over-the-counter dental whitening toothpaste or gels this can, with prolonged use, cause dental sensitivity to worsen. This is because of the hydrogen peroxide. If you have recently had your teeth professionally whitened, you may also notice a higher level of oral sensitivity. This is because the hydrogen peroxide causes teeth to become temporarily dehydrated, thus making them more susceptible to absorbing hot and cold stimuli and interpreting it as discomfort.
If you incur any dental issues, please come in and see your dentist Subiaco immediately.
DISCLAIMER
All treatments carry risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.