Sensitive Teeth – Prevention And Care

Overly sensitive teeth can cause a lot of discomfort, but there are solutions

It doesn’t seem long ago since we were enjoying, or avoiding, the extreme heat that we had for a few days in the UK. Each morning and evening now though, there are tell tale signs that the colder months are just around the corner. While some people might welcome this relief from the heat, others will be dreading it and, of course, the increasing cost of electricity and gas that comes too!

There is another group of people who will also be dreading colder weather because they have teeth that are very sensitive to the cold, often leaving them in some significant discomfort.

There are a number of reasons why some of our Epsom patients might experience problems with their teeth in cold weather, fortunately much of which is avoidable. We will look at this more closely in today’s blog, together with advice on what to do if you already have the condition.

What causes sensitive teeth?

The main causes of sensitive teeth are eroded tooth enamel, cracks or chips that expose the more sensitive dentin, and gum recession which exposes the part of the tooth that should be below the gum line.

Most of these issues can be avoided if you look after your teeth well. There may be exceptions such as those having certain medical treatments which might cause generally poorer oral health, but most of us can prevent all of the above by being more diligent about how we take care of our teeth.

Good brushing and flossing are essential, as are regular checkups by the dentist and seeing the hygienist for a regular scale and polish. If you follow this and don’t smoke, you will minimise the likelihood of experiencing this painful problem. With regards to chips and cracks in the teeth, this can happen to anyone due to an accident. The key here is to make sure to see a dentist to have your teeth checked if you have banged your mouth in a fall or similar. Please don’t leave it until your next check up appointment and make sure to have any potential issues checked as soon as you can.

Resolving eroded enamel

Erosion of the protective enamel layer on our teeth is perhaps the main cause of painfully sensitive teeth. This can happen for a number of reasons, including an uneven bite which wears away the enamel. One of the most common reasons though is the increase in high sugar and acidic foods and drinks, especially soft drinks. As this passes over the front of the teeth, it erodes the enamel. While the occasional drink like this won’t hurt too much, many people consume far too many of these, with the inevitable results.

Although you can’t regrow the enamel layer, there is a cosmetic dental procedure which can replace it, in the form of porcelain tooth veneers. These provide a replacement for the surface enamel and are long lasting, generally for around ten years with appropriate care.  This is a very effective method that has benefitted a number of our Epsom patients who have suffered from this problem.

Alternatives

Although veneers are often the most effective way of preventing discomfort caused in this way, there are a number of things that you can do to reduce or at least partially avoid the painful effects of sensitive teeth.

1 – Cover up – If you are venturing out into the cold weather, you could wear a scarf (or mask) over your mouth. This will help to stop the cold air meeting your teeth directly. This may not be such a good solution if you are going to be in it for some time though as the scarf will become damp from your breath and feel uncomfortable. It is also less useful for those, such as runners, who will need to breathe a lot deeper and harder.

2 – Pain relief – For short term relief, taking a suitable painkiller can help to dull the pain, making it more bearable. Taking too many medications over a long time though isn’t generally recommended where not necessary for health reasons. Whilst this is a possible short term option where suitable, patients may wish to look at longer term solutions.

3 – Sensitive teeth toothpastes – Unlike the hype around certain types of toothpaste, this is one that does really work. You simply brush your teeth as you normally would and the toothpaste does the rest. It works by one of two methods; either by blocking pain signals that would normally be sent to the brain or by blocking the tiny hollow tunnels, known as ‘dentin tubules’  which allow access to the nerves of the tooth. This can be a good way of reducing any discomfort, though, as with the others above, it shouldn’t be used to mask an underlying problem and you should always see your dentist if your teeth start to feel more sensitive than usual.

As the colder winds start to blow, having sensitive teeth is likely to become more of a problem for many. It is always a good idea to see your dentist if you have this problem, so that any underlying issues can be treated effectively. To make sure that you are seen by one of our friendly dentists, please call the Clocktower Dental, Implant & Facial Centre on 01372 720136.