Understanding the causes of tooth sensitivity and how it is treated at the Madison Family Dental group

Tooth sensitivity is characterized by a sharp pain in your teeth every time you bite or take hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks. It is a condition that can result in altered nutrition because one cannot eat and drink comfortably due to the sensitivity of their teeth. However, you do not have to entirely live with tooth sensitivity because Fair Oaks endodontist specialists know how to treat tooth sensitivity, enabling you to comfortably eat hot or cold food and drinks.

What is tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity is also referred to as dentin hypersensitivity or root sensitivity. Your teeth or tooth may feel discomfort or pain when they come into contact with sweet, hot, cold, or very acidic food and drinks. You can also have tooth sensitivity when your teeth are in contact with cold air. It is a very common condition and is affecting more people daily, but it comes and goes after a while.

What are some of the causes of tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity is a condition that occurs when the dentin layer of the teeth loses its protective covering, whereby on the root is cementum and on the crown is enamel. Dentine is a part of your teeth that consists of many microscopic tubules of nerve endings. Therefore, if the dentin layer is not covered by an outer layer, the nerves are exposed to cold, hot, sweet, sticky, and acidic foods and beverages, resulting in pain and irritation.

Some of the main reasons that result in one losing your cementum or enamel layer are broken teeth, tooth erosion from a high acidic diet, tooth decay, leaky and worn-down fillings, periodontal, diseases, enamel wearing off due to abrasive toothpaste or overzealous brushing, tooth erosion from bulimia or GERD, and nighttime teeth grinding. Another cause of tooth sensitivity is gum recession which exposes tooth roots. In most cases, approximately eighty-five percent of adults can develop receding gums by the time they are sixty-five years old. Similarly, others also experience temporary tooth sensitivity after undergoing dental procedures like fillings, crown replacement, and teeth whitening.

How is tooth sensitivity treated?

The strategy that most specialists use to treat tooth sensitivity depends on its cause and origin. For instance, if the care provider observes that you have sensitive teeth due to tooth decay, cavity, and any other cause, he may opt to treat the underlying cause to resolve your sensitivity. However, if you have exposed your tooth roots to receded gums, a gum graft may be the best treatment option. There are also those times when there is no link between an oral condition and your tooth sensitivity. In such a case, the care provider may decide to perform a desensitizing treatment such as an in-office fluoride gel treatment. You can also be recommended to use desensitizing toothpaste.

If you or someone close to you is experiencing tooth sensitivity, visit or call Madison Family Dental Group today and receive your treatment. You do not have to endure the pain and discomfort caused by tooth sensitivity because the specialists in the facility are well trained to identify and treat the cause of the sensitivity. Doing so will enable you to eat and drink comfortably, thus allowing you to eat to satisfaction. However, if you are also interested in consulting or learning about various causes and treatment options available, you can also book an appointment online or visit their offices.