Sensitive Teeth
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Teeth become sensitive when the dentine layer, which lies under the shiny outer surface layer of enamel, becomes exposed. This usually happens where the tooth meets the gum and the enamel layer is at its thinnest.
You are most likely to feel the sensitivity when drinking or eating something cold, especially ice cream or when breathing in cold air. Some people have sensitivity when they have sweet or acidic food and drinks. The pain can come and go, with some times being worse than others. If the teeth are sensitive to hot foods or drinks, this is more serious, as it can indicate that the nerve in the tooth is dying off.
These are some causes of sensitivity:
If you suffer from sensitivity, try to avoid very cold/hot food and drinks, also sweet and acidic drinks, or keep these to mealtimes, when saliva helps to protect your teeth. When brushing your teeth, you may need to use warm water, or just spit the toothpaste out instead. It is important to keep brushing your teeth regularly, with a desensitising toothpaste, but not to brush after eating or drinking acidic things.
At Cwmbran Dental Care our dentists and hygienists are here to help and will advise you on the best desensitising toothpastes on the market. These can be applied on your finger and rubbed directly onto the sensitive area.
It’s important to come and see us, if the home treatments are not working.
At your routine appointments, please tell us if you suffer from sensitivity. We will examine your teeth to find out what is causing the sensitivity, so we can best treat it. Our hygienists will show you the best tooth brushing regimen and type of brush to use.
We also have ‘desensitising’ products in the form of fluoride gels, rinses or varnishes which help relieve the symptoms. Sensitivity can take some time to settle, and you may need to have several appointments. If this still does not help, your dental team may seal or fill around the neck of the tooth, where the tooth and gum meet, to cover any exposed dentine.
If you grind your teeth, then we can make a mouthguard to protect your teeth from damaging tooth wear.
