Sensitive Teeth Services

Does a sip of a hot beverage or ice cream cause discomfort? Does flossing or brushing make you wince occasionally? If so, you might have sensitive teeth. Dental sensitivity happens when enamel is damaged, exposing the dentin and allowing sensation to penetrate the dentin and reach nerves in the pulp. Numerous factors can cause tooth enamel damage, including brushing aggressively, eating acidic foods, bruxism, and teeth whitening. When you visit Agoura Hills Advanced Dentistry, our dentists can inquire about your pain, what triggers the sensations, and their duration. We can also perform a dental exam and review your medical history and oral health habits to identify the root cause. That way, we can recommend the most effective treatment plan.

An Overview of Teeth Sensitivity

Typically, teeth sensitivity happens when your dentin (the underlying layer) becomes exposed. It can occur due to gum recession (gums pulling away from the teeth, exposing the teeth roots) and wear and tear (erosion).

Teeth roots not covered by enamel have numerous small tubules leading to the pulp (tooth center). The tubules permit stimuli like sweet, cold, or hot foods to reach your tooth nerve, resulting in the pain.

Additionally, tooth sensitivity can indicate other dental issues like cavities, a fractured tooth, or gum disease.

Please note that sensitive teeth do not always mean infections. Tooth pain due to infection can be sharp and throbbing or achy and dull.

Signs and Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth

You may know you have sensitive teeth when:

• You consume hot or cold foods or drinks
• You are eating sweet or sour food
• You bite down on something
• You experience a pain or ache that persists after the initial twinge

Sometimes, teeth sensitivity disappears on its own, especially if it originates from a dental treatment like a root canal or filling. However, consider consulting a dentist if you have teeth sensitivity that does not disappear and lingers; you might require treatment to fix the problem.

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Here are the numerous factors that cause tooth sensitivity:

• Brushing aggressively — With time, using a hard-bristled toothbrush or brushing aggressively can wear down your enamel, exposing the dentin. Moreover, it can cause gum recession.
• Gum recession — Gum recession involves the gum tissues pulling away from teeth and exposing the tooth roots. Some individuals are genetically vulnerable to thin gum tissue, while others develop the condition due to periodontal disease.
• Cracked teeth — Bacteria from tartar and plaque can enter your tooth pulp through a fractured or chipped tooth and cause inflammation.
• Gum disease — Sore and inflamed gum tissues can result in sensitivity due to the loss of supporting ligaments, exposing the root surface that leads to the tooth nerve.
• Bruxism — Clenching or grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel, exposing the dentin.
• Plaque accumulation on your root surfaces
• Using mouthwash — Some over-the-counter mouthwashes have acids that further damage dentin. If your dentin is sensitive, consult your dentist about using a neutral fluoride treatment solution.
• Age — Individuals between 25 and 30 are more vulnerable to tooth sensitivity.
• Recent dental treatment — Some patients experience sensitive teeth after dental procedures like dental cleanings and tooth fillings. Sensitivity due to a dental treatment disappears within weeks of the procedure.
• Acidic foods — Eating acidic foods like tomatoes, tea, pickles, and citrus foods regularly can result in enamel erosion.

How Dentists Diagnose Teeth Sensitivity

Typically, a tooth sensitivity diagnosis starts with a thorough dental exam. The dentist will review your dental history, perform a physical exam of your gums and teeth, and conduct more tests to determine the root cause of the sensitivity. Your dentist will also look for signs and symptoms of dental issues like enamel erosion, gum disease, and cracks.

They can also inquire about your dietary habits, lifestyle, oral hygiene practices, and symptoms to identify the cause. Sometimes, they can use diagnostic imaging to obtain clear images of your tooth structure and the nearby tissues.

When to See a Dentist for Sensitive Teeth

The best way to treat dental sensitivity is to visit your dentist. Here are signs that indicate it is time to visit your physician:

• You experience tooth sensitivity that lasts for weeks
• The sensitivity is so severe that it hinders you from performing your daily activities
• Other oral health issues have developed — If sensitive teeth manifest alongside other signs, dental sensitivity could be a symptom of a dental issue like tooth infection or gum disease.

Tooth Sensitivity Treatments

To help you manage and treat tooth sensitivity, your dentist can prescribe the following:

Using Medications

If you suffer from severe sensitivity, your dentist will provide medication to help lessen sensitivity. Common medications include the following:

• Paracetamol pain relief — Paracetamol can help relieve tooth sensitivity promptly
• Antibiotics provide quicker pain relief than paracetamol since they treat bacterial infections that cause oral health issues
• Aspirin — Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory and can be used to eliminate bacteria.

Increase Mineral and Vitamin Supplementation Intake

Eating a well-balanced diet that contains adequate nutrients like vitamins and minerals is key to maintaining good oral health and can prevent you from developing teeth sensitivity. Therefore, your dentist can recommend increasing your intake of the following:

• Calcium — Sufficient calcium in your body prevents tooth enamel erosion that can result in sensitive teeth. Calcium sources include dairy products, green vegetables, fish, seeds, nuts, and fortified foods.
• Vitamin D — Vitamin D enables your body to absorb calcium; without enough vitamin D, your body cannot utilize the calcium derived from food. The ideal source of vitamin D is sunlight, but you can also acquire it from egg yolk, fish, and most dairy products.

Use Desensitizing Toothpaste

It can address tooth sensitivity by strengthening the enamel and blocking pain signals.

Since desensitizing toothpaste is available in different varieties, you should consult your dentist on the best brand for your needs.

Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

If your tooth sensitivity is due to using a hard-bristled toothbrush and aggressive brushing, you should consider using a soft-bristled brush. Also, avoid scrubbing back and forth; it can irritate your gums. If brushing is painful, call your doctor for individualized dental sensitivity recommendations.

Using a Mouth Guard

A mouth guard is a soft rubber cushion for your upper and lower teeth, preventing them from clenching or grinding when asleep.

Putting on a mouth guard can prevent further damage to your teeth’s enamel if the cause of the sensitivity involves bruxism or teeth grinding.

You may buy a mouthguard over the counter if you do not use oral appliances like braces. However, if you use them, your dental professional will recommend a customized mouthguard, which they will make at their office.

In-Office Treatment

In-office treatment procedures offer immediate and effective relief. The treatments are designed to fix the root cause of the sensitivity and involve advanced materials and methods that are not readily available for at-home use. They are as follows:

• Dental sealants — They are rubber materials that dentists apply to teeth. Dentists first clean the tooth surface during the procedure to remove food debris or plaque that could affect the sealant’s bond. Next, they apply an acidic solution to the tooth to create a textured surface that allows the sealant to bond more effectively and securely. Finally, they apply the dental sealant to the tooth surface. While dental sealants are primarily used to prevent cavities in molars, they alleviate dental sensitivity by providing an outer layer that prevents extreme temperatures and acids from entering your teeth.
• Root canal therapy — The procedure is tailored to treat damage or infection within your tooth’s pulp. If the pulp is inflamed or infected due to an injury or decay, it can cause abscess development, swelling, or severe pain. During the treatment, the dentist will remove your infected pulp, clean and disinfect your teeth, and then seal them to prevent infection in the future. Finally, they restore the tooth with a dental filling or crown to restore tooth functionality and safeguard it from further damage. Your dentist can recommend a root canal when sensitivity is due to a severe cavity that reaches the tooth pulp and causes inflammation or infection, a tooth crack that reaches the pulp and exposes nerves, or persistent pain or sensitivity.
• Gum graft — If your tooth root has lost gum tissue, the root becomes exposed. Your dentist can extract tissue from another region in your mouth and attach it to the problematic area. The grafting tissue can also be from an allograft tissue bank. The gum graft safeguards the exposed root and can reduce dental sensitivity.
• Dental bonding — Tooth bonding involves your dentist applying a dental resin to your tooth. The resin will bond to the enamel, allowing tooth restoration and protection. Using tooth bonding, your dentist can fix sensitivity due to a chipped or cracked tooth. Dental bonding uses an additional layer of composite resin to keep extreme temperatures away from your enamel, eliminating severe sensitivity. The composite resin bonds with the enamel, protecting it from anything that causes harm or discomfort.
• Dental crown — A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over the entire tooth. When the enamel wears down, your dentin is exposed, making you vulnerable to dental sensitivity. A crown serves as a shield that covers the tooth’s sensitive regions and protects the tooth’s nerves from sweet foods and temperature changes. It also strengthens your weak tooth due to fractures or decay, allowing you to chew or bite without feeling pain due to dental sensitivity. Finally, it prevents future issues that can cause sensitivity, like further decay, wear, and damage.

Fluoride Gel

Fluoride gel is a topical treatment applied to sensitive areas of your mouth to alleviate sensitivity. Your dentist will advise you on the correct dosage. Some popular topical medicines for sensitive teeth include GC Tooth Mouse, Sensikin gel, Emoform and Pro Varnish.

Natural Remedies

Sensitive teeth can make eating or drinking a painful ordeal. Luckily, there are natural remedies that can minimize sensitivity, including the following:

Guava Leaves

Chewing guava leaves or using a gel with guava leaf extract can help lessen sensitivity. Guava leaf is rich in guava flavonoids and can soothe tooth sensitivity.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling using coconut or sesame oil can reduce tooth sensitivity.

Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic practice from India, which requires swishing oil around your mouth for some minutes, then spitting it out.

Using Garlic

Garlic is a natural remedy, and chewing garlic generates a compound called allicin. The allicin has antimicrobial properties and can eliminate bacteria, which results in oral issues, including sensitivity.

Capsaicin Gel

Capsaicin, the compound found in chili peppers, may have desensitizing properties, though evidence for its effectiveness in managing tooth sensitivity is still emerging.

Using Turmeric

Turmeric is a yellow spice and an Ayurvedic remedy for reducing tooth sensitivity. You can prepare a paste by mixing it with water. Rub the paste onto your gums to reduce tooth sensitivity.

Using Saltwater Rinse

You can use a saltwater rinse as a mouthwash to lessen tooth sensitivity. Add half a teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water when making the rinse. Then swish the mixture around your mouth several times before spitting it out.

Clove gel

Clove oil has eugenol, an anti-inflammatory and anesthetic compound that numbs the impacted tooth region or alleviates dental sensitivity-related pain. Moreover, it has antibacterial properties that fight bacteria, reducing the chances of developing infections. You can apply clove oil or gel.

Tooth Sensitivity After Dental Fillings and How to Manage It

Dentists use dental fillings to treat tooth decay. The treatment involves the physician filling small holes created by the decaying tooth using a material like composite or amalgam. Although the procedure is simple, most patients experience dental sensitivity afterwards.

Typically, the dental sensitivity disappears within days or weeks of the procedure, depending on the root cause.

Different reasons can cause tooth sensitivity following a filling treatment. They can include the following:

• Change in your bite — Sometimes, a dental filling may cause the impacted tooth to become longer than the rest of your teeth, making it painful to shut your mouth because of the extra pressure on the impacted tooth. In some instances, biting down may even fracture the dental filling. You should consult your dental professional once you notice an issue with your bite.
• Suffering from pulpitis — Before filling your cavity, the dentist will remove the damaged part of the tooth using a drill that emits heat. Sometimes this may inflame your pulp (the tissue at the tooth’s center), resulting in pulpitis. If the dentist fails to extract every decaying tissue, it could lead to an infection in the impacted tooth’s pulp. You may notice swelling in the gums or pus near your tooth if this occurs. Pulpitis exists in two categories, namely, reversible and irreversible pulpitis. In reversible pulpitis, your tooth becomes sensitive, but the pulp recovers and improves. Conversely, in irreversible pulpitis, your pulp cannot heal and needs root canal therapy.
• Allergic reaction — Sensitivity following a dental filling can be due to an allergic reaction to the materials utilized in the filling. You may also experience itching or a rash near the filling. Consult your dental care provider if you suffer any allergic reactions. The dentist could redo your filling with different materials.
• Several tooth surfaces — You may also suffer sensitivity or pain on varying tooth surfaces.
• Referred pain — After a dentist fills your teeth, you may feel pain in your teeth adjacent to the impacted one. It is because of a phenomenon known as referred pain, which consists of experiencing pain in an area different from the pain’s source.

Effective Ways to Manage Sensitivity after Dental Fillings

You can lessen sensitivity by doing the following:

• Gently brushing or flossing your teeth
• Avoiding cold or hot foods or drinks for some time
• Using a desensitizing toothpaste
• Using anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen
• Using the opposite side of the mouth to chew
• Avoiding acidic beverages like wine, citrus fruits, and yogurt

Consult your dental care provider promptly if you have a bite issue, which you can identify once the numbness wears off. Your dentist can make necessary adjustments so the dental filling matches your teeth better.

You might require a root canal treatment if you experience pulpitis that fails to resolve for weeks.

Dental filling sensitivity should cease within two (2) to four (4) weeks after the procedure. You should consult your dentist if your sensitivity does not disappear within four weeks.

How to Prevent Dental Sensitivity

Here are practical ways to prevent dental sensitivity:

• Cleaning your teeth regularly
• Using an electric or soft-bristled toothbrush
• Using dental strips to apply medication to sensitive regions in the mouth
• Using a non-alcoholic mouthwash
• Treating acid reflux or GERD from the stomach
• Avoiding sweet or acidic beverages and foods
• Avoiding stress

Find a Qualified Dentist Near Me

Tooth sensitivity can create discomfort and prevent you from enjoying your favorite drinks and foods. At Agoura Hills Advanced Dentistry, we understand your frustrations and can help you. Our dentists recommend different treatment strategies depending on the severity of tooth sensitivity. When sensitivity is mild, we can recommend gentle brushing using a fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Suppose the sensitivity persists and discomfort is intense. In that case, we can work with you to determine whether the sensitivity is a sign of a dental issue and find the most effective treatment plan. Please call us at 818-878-7300 to schedule your initial consultation.