Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Sensitive Teeth

One of the complaints we hear the most is about sensitive teeth.  There are lots of reasons that sensitivity can occur and treatment can be as little as a change in toothpaste.

The most common sensitivity we see is due to a receding gumline.  Much like we see with a receding hairline, there isn't a completely predicable way get your gums back to there ideal place.  Recession can be cause by a many different things.  Sometimes we have thin gum tissue after teeth have been moved outward with orthodontics, sometimes it's due to gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), but most frequently it is due to brushing too hard with too stiff bristles and too much toothpaste.

While an aggressive routine is great at removing plaque, it can cause physical trauma to the the gums that over time will leave the root of the tooth exposed.  The root of the tooth is not covered by enamel and made up of dentin.  Dentin is naturally the bulk of the tooth.  The crown of the tooth is also made mainly of dentin, but is covered by enamel which is much stronger.

When brushing, you want to make sure you are using as gentle a touch as possible.  It doesn't take a lot of force to disrupt the plaque buildup on your teeth.  Also, it is important to use the softest bristles possible.  Why do firm bristles exist if they aren't good for your teeth?  They are great for cleaning the grout around your toilet and that's about it.  Make sure you know which brush is for which spot!  Also, many toothpastes are very abrasive, especially those that are "Whitening" or "Tartar Control."  We recommend using a regular toothpaste or a sensitivity toothpaste that contains fluoride and use only enough for flavor.  The big strip of toothpaste in the commercials is only great at using up more toothpaste so you have to buy more.

Trauma from brushing isn't the only way to get exposed dentin though, and exposed dentin isn't the only cause of sensitivity.  Other causes include recently placed tooth colored fillings, cavities near the gumline, having your teeth whitened (especially the in office Zoom type of whitening sessions, but that's for another blog), acid erosion (soda habit, acid reflux, or more sinister drug habits) and grinding of the teeth.

Don't hesitate to bring up any sensitivity issues you have and we will work with you to make sure to help limit the sensitivity.  Having sensitivity is relatively common and it doesn't mean you can't enjoy a glass of ice water, or whiten your teeth, or for some, even take a breath on a cold day, it just means that a few extra precautions need to be taken.