Why are my teeth so sensitive?

Some people have more sensitive teeth than others. It doesn’t always mean that there is something wrong (although it might). It may be that you are suffering from gum shrinkage (gingival recession) which means that the gum has shrunk down the tooth surface and exposed some of the root of your tooth.

If root surface is exposed in your mouth this area of the tooth is more sensitive than the crown which means if you drink something cold or take a cold breath of air in you may feel this on your tooth.

A sensitive tooth is a sensation felt for only a short time (only a few seconds) but can be quite painful.

We see our registered patients usually every six months and so can discuss and manage issues with sensitive teeth when you attend.

Another cause of sensitive teeth is acid erosion. This is often caused by acidic drinks such as citrus juice or fizzy drinks drunk to excess or can be caused by acid reflux from your stomach.

Our dentists at Mossley Dental Care are highly trained and can diagnose your problem and offer appropriate treatments all carried out in-house by our experienced and caring team.

How can you reduce sensitive teeth?

Tooth sensitivity can be reduced by addressing the cause of the problem and also by applying appropriate pastes to the area of sensitivity.

If your sensitivity is caused by gum shrinkage we can recommend appropriate home care routines which can minimise further damage. Or if your sensitivity is caused by acid erosion we can discuss strategies to change your habits which will prevent it from occurring again.

Our dentists are also able to apply professional varnishes which can help reduce the symptoms of sensitive teeth and recommend toothpastes which will also help keep the situation under control.

What causes sensitive teeth?

Sensitive teeth can be caused by gum shrinkage and/or acid erosion or leaking fillings/tooth decay. The exact cause in your cases needs to be determined before we can offer appropriate treatment and if you are a new patient at Mossley Dental Care we invite you to attend for a free initial consultation where we can assess your problem and provide appropriate treatment.

Our dentists will be empathetic and will explain your treatment options. You will always be given an opportunity to ask questions before we treat you and we will ensure you are comfortable in our treatment rooms.

Treatment

Various treatments exist for tooth sensitivity. Options include but are not limited to:

– Changing your toothpaste can help and we can make recommendations at your appointments.
– We can apply coatings onto the sensitive area which can help minimise symptoms.
– If your tooth is worn down we can seal it with composite resin filings
– If you have lost or broken fillings we can replace them

If you have any questions about how we may be able to help you please contact our reception on 01457 837361 or contact us via our online enquiry form. We are here to help!

Author: Daniel Winston