Sensitive Teeth In Wickford?

This common problem might seem fairly insignificant, but please don’t ignore it.

We all know that a visit to the dentist is inevitable if a tooth breaks or if we are suffering from a painful bout of tooth decay. Humans are very good though at denial, and more ‘minor’ issues might not receive the same attention. One common problem that sometimes gets ignored, at least until it becomes too painful to do so, is when our teeth become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.

It should be said that some people naturally have thinner tooth enamel than others. Biting our teeth into something really cold, such as ice cream, and holding them there will affect some people quicker and more significantly than others. Some people though will quickly pull back when a sharp pain shoots through their teeth. This is a good indication that there is a problem that needs investigating by one of our Wickford dentists.

Needless to say, we don’t advocate trying the ice cream test, but if you have noticed sudden sensitivity when consuming hot or cold food or drink, then you should see a dentist and not keep putting it off in the hope that it will go away, which it likely won’t.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Essentially, you are more likely to feel sensitivity, including shooting pains, when the enamel of the tooth has been damaged. This can be in the form of a breakage but is equally likely to arise through something less noticeable. A small chip to the tooth or a cracked tooth allows the temperature to affect the inner part of the tooth. Similarly, gum erosion can expose the root section of the tooth which is less well protected. Perhaps the most common reason these days though is when the tooth enamel is gradually worn down, often through drinking too many fizzy acidic drinks.

How can it be prevented

The main thing to do is to keep your teeth healthy. Brush and floss them well, making sure to use a fluoride toothpaste to help keep the enamel strong and healthy and make sure to see the dentist at the Cygnet Dental Practice for a check up every six months. The same applies with seeing the hygienist who will carry out a scale and polish procedure to help ensure that your mouth is healthy.

Being careful about what you drink can be really helpful too. Avoid, or at the very least reduce, consumption of fizzy drinks. Most of these are highly acidic and will gradually damage the enamel as the liquid passes over your teeth. You can reduce this risk by using a straw to help less of it meet your teeth, but, in our opinion, these drinks, and especially energy drinks which are usually high in both sugar and acids, are best avoided altogether. Water is your friend!

Finally, if you are experiencing any pain or even mild discomfort, make sure to have it looked at immediately and don’t put it off until you are in a lot more discomfort. At this stage, the treatment required is likely to be more extensive.

What treatments do we offer at the Cygnet Dental Practice?

This will depend on the nature of the problem that is causing your tooth sensitivity. Tiny cracks and chips can sometimes be restored using dental bonding which can be applied to the affected tooth or teeth, usually without the need for a local anaesthetic.

For more significant damage, a filling or crown might be needed, and, where enamel erosion is the cause of the issue, porcelain veneers can be fitted. These don’t ‘restore’ the enamel, but actually replace it. This works in a similar (but more sophisticated) way to false fingernails. In many cases this will require some invasive dental treatment but does provide a long term solution, with veneers usually lasting for around ten years before they need to be replaced. This will depend on how well you look after them of course.

The key is not to ignore the problem, hoping that it goes away, even if it feels relatively mild. Whether it is through food and drink consumption or a cold wind that makes you wince as you feel the discomfort shoot through the tooth, it needs checking out.

If you feel you might have an issue with tooth sensitivity or any other issue that is causing you concern, we are here to help you at our Wickford dental clinic. You can call us to make an appointment, or for information, on 01268 733078.