Have you ever bitten into something cold or sugary and felt a jolt of pain in your tooth? This pain is known as tooth sensitivity, and it can feel excruciating. However, since the feeling tends to come and go, some people might not seek urgent treatment for the issue.
But tooth sensitivity can often point to major underlying dental problems. Even if you think you can tolerate this pain, you should tell your dentist about the abnormal symptom as soon as you can.
You can feel encouraged to seek dental intervention when you know more about this dental concern. Read on to find responses from your dentist in Fox Lake, IL to frequently asked questions regarding tooth sensitivity.
What Makes a Tooth Feel Sensitivity Pain?
Tooth sensitivity is a reaction that occurs after a tooth has sustained structural damage. The outer layer of your tooth, enamel, is hard and strong, but it can wear down or erode over time. This will leave the inner dentin layer exposed.
Dentin contains nerves that will send pain signals to the brain when stimulated. So when you bite into certain foods, they can touch these exposed nerves and cause tooth sensitivity pain.
Enamel erosion can happen for a number of reasons, including major dental concerns. So you should not ignore tooth sensitivity. And once gone, lost enamel will not regrow to make tooth sensitivity go away on its own. Call your dentist and schedule an urgent dental evaluation.
How Can My Dentist Treat Tooth Sensitivity?
Though eroded enamel does not regenerate, a dentist can help you alleviate the symptoms of tooth sensitivity. The treatment they suggest will depend on the reason behind your enamel loss.
Mild cases of enamel erosion and tooth sensitivity can be resolved by using desensitizing toothpaste. This product contains ingredients that will block nerves from transmitting pain to the brain, relieving tooth sensitivity.
A dentist might also replace lost enamel with a dental crown. The cap will cover a damaged tooth, providing a shield over exposed dentin to stop stimulation that will cause sensitivity pain. It seals into place for long-lasting protection and relief.
Other dental problems like cavities can make you feel tooth sensitivity too. Treating the cavity will also stop this symptom. Visit your dentist to find the best treatment to resolve your tooth pain.
Can I Prevent Tooth Sensitivity?
You can lower your risk for tooth sensitivity by protecting your tooth enamel as much as possible. The best way to do that is to practice good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily will remove harmful plaque before it can eat away at your dental structure.
You may also want to avoid sugary or acidic foods in your diet. The acid from these foods can erode your teeth, putting you in danger of tooth sensitivity, cavities, and other dental problems. Find expert preventative dental care when you visit your dentist’s office.