If you have trouble with sensitive teeth, you are not alone. Many people deal with sensitive teeth issues every day but do not know why they happen or how to deal with them. Your dentist is a great source of information about sensitive teeth, but if you do not have the time or maybe do not have a dentist, you may not have access to this information very easily.

Fortunately, there are identifiable reasons that sensitive teeth occur. Here are tips and information that will help you and your dentist determine the best course of treatment for your teeth.

So, what causes sensitive teeth?

Here is a list of the most common culprits:

Worn tooth enamel: This can occur with time or with excessive grinding. If you grind your teeth at night, there are a variety of symptoms that are usually associated, and if you grind your teeth and they are sensitive, it is a good bet that your tooth enamel is worn down. Worn enamel can also occur with age.

Exposed tooth roots: This is a more rare issue, but roots can be exposed for a few reasons. They can become exposed after traumatic injury or sometimes are exposed in the still-developing mouths of children.

Cracked or chipped tooth: A cracked or chipped tooth has had the enamel broken off, and the sensitive interior may be exposed to liquids, foods and the environment. This will most certainly cause sensitive teeth.

Worn filling: Unfortunately, fillings are not designed to last forever. If you have received a filling and are experiencing sensitivity in the location of your filling, then you may want to pay a visit to your dentist. They might have to replace or fix the filling.

Gum disease: The symptoms of gum disease are red, swollen or bloody gums. This can happen when bacteria grow too aggressively in your mouth and your body has a difficult time fighting the infection. The redness and swelling are signs that your immune system has activated and your gums are inflamed.

Treating sensitive teeth

Desensitizing toothpaste

Desensitizing toothpaste is sold over the counter (OTC) and is an easy and inexpensive treatment. The downside is that it can be several weeks before it begins to take effect. However, they are an effective way to decrease sensitivity in your teeth.

Fluoride

Fluoride helps rebuild the enamel of your teeth and can repair minor damage done by injuries or grinding.

Surgical gum graft

For cases that are more severe or involve the gums, your dentist may recommend a gum graft. This is where they take a piece of your gums and "graft" it to an area that has less gum tissue and where the roots of the teeth might be exposed.

Bonding

Bonding, or sometimes called "desensitizing," is another option that is useful for covering exposed root surfaces. Bonding involves applying a resin to the surface of sensitive roots. This prevents them from coming into contact with things that might trigger sensitivity.

If you are experiencing sensitive teeth, contact our office today so that we can answer any questions you may have or schedule an appointment to help you find out what is causing your tooth sensitivity.

Request an appointment in our Santa Clara office here: https://yousmiledental.com.