3 Ways A Dentist Can Help Your Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth can make everyday activities like eating or drinking cold water an uncomfortable or painful task. Stores sell over-the-counter toothpaste and mouthwash to decrease sensitivity. But those products don't always help advanced cases. That's when it's time for a dentist visit.
Prescription Fluoride
If your teeth are too sensitive for desensitizing toothpaste, but not bad enough for surgical intervention, your dentist might prescribe fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that can help protect or restore enamel damage caused by bacteria and acidic foods. Your dentist will likely brush concentrated fluoride directly onto the sensitive areas for targeted treatment but will also provide a prescription for fluoride -- in either a mouthwash or gel form-- that you can use at home. Follow the directions closely for the best results. If your sensitivity remains or worsens while undergoing fluoride treatment, inform your dentist so that you can discuss other treatment options.
Tooth Bonding
The most advanced non-surgical treatment option is tooth bonding. An artificial enamel is adhered over the sensitive areas of your teeth, which might include some exposed roots. A local anesthetic is often used to make the process more comfortable for the patient particularly if multiple teeth are being bonded at once. The advantage of bonding is a short recovery time that will allow you to soon eat ice cream without pain. But bonds are fragile like real enamel and can become chipped or discolored over time. Make sure you ask your dentist about the best ways to protect and care for your new bonds.
Gingival Grafts
There are multiple reasons why tooth roots can become exposed. One of those reasons is that the gums have receded around the base of the tooth and left those roots without that protective covering. Gingival grafts are a surgical option in these situations. An oral surgeon will remove a section of gum or palate from a healthier section of the mouth and use that tissue to graft over the weakened gum. The tissue is stitched together until healing eventually allows the two sections to grow together. Patients are often placed under general anesthesia to prevent movement during the stitching process.
Root Canal
If exposed roots aren't causing your tooth sensitivity, your dentist might recommend a root canal. The dentist removes the center of your tooth using a drill then cleans out the infected material inside what's called the tooth pulp. This material includes nerves and the canals that go down to the tooth roots. Once the dentist removes the material that's causing the pain and sensitivity, medicine and a temporary seal are inserted into the exposed tooth. A permanent crown is then attached to the top of the tooth to seal everything back together. Root canals can be fairly involved and might work better for those experiencing sensitivity in only a few teeth.
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