Sensitivity is no joke. Whether you’re trying to bite your ice cream or enjoy a nice cold drink, having sensitive teeth can really put a damper on your day.

Teeth sensitivity is a common and frustrating problem caused by problems with your oral hygiene routine or certain medical conditions. It can be treated in a number of ways, from over-the-counter options to more intense dental procedures.

Suffering from pain when you eat? Here’s what you need to know about having sensitive teeth, and how to seek effective treatment for the condition.

What Makes Teeth Sensitive?

Dentin hypersensitivity (the formal name for sensitive teeth) is a condition in which eating foods that are too hot or too cold becomes uncomfortable or even painful. This is usually because the enamel layer on the exterior of the teeth has been worn down enough to expose the sensitive dentin layer underneath.

Symptoms of dentin hypersensitivity include:

• Discomfort or pain when eating hot or cold foods
• Discomfort or pain when brushing teeth
• Lingering discomfort between meals and brushing

This condition can affect one tooth or several, or even all of them. It can be felt in the roots of the teeth and can be caused by a number of things. Some of the most common causes are:

• Brushing your teeth too aggressively
• Using a toothbrush with hard bristles
• Grinding your teeth in your sleep
• Excess acid in your diet (from things like citrus and sodas)
• Medical conditions that result in acid reflux or vomiting

You may also find your teeth becoming sensitive if you have any kind of breaks or chipping in your teeth, or if you have dental work that’s been worn down or improperly finished. More severe cases might be caused by cavities or inflamed dental pulp.

What are Common Treatment Options for Sensitive Teeth?

Sensitive teeth are a common problem, and as such, have many common treatment options that you and your dentist can try.

In mild cases of sensitive teeth repair, your Carlstadt Dentist will often recommend over-the-counter treatments. Such treatments include:

• Desensitizing toothpaste, which, with routine use, can lower sensitivity and strength the remaining enamel.
  
• Fluoride treatments in the form of alcohol-free mouthwash or a paste applied at the dentist’s office or via a prescribed home treatment; can help strengthen your teeth by providing them with the building blocks to make the strong cavity-preventing material fluorapatite to repair sensitive teeth.
• A different toothbrush and a change to your oral hygiene routine; dentists usually recommend using a Medium or softer bristled toothbrush and brushing gently to remove plaque buildup.
• A change in your diet to avoid or reduce your intake of acidic foods.

For sensitivity caused by a medical condition, your dentist may recommend a visit with your regular doctor to develop a treatment plan. This plan might include acid reducers, and, in some cases, psychiatric treatment to reduce harmful habits.

These treatments take time, however, and may be ineffective for more severe cases of sensitivity.

How Do You Repair Severe Sensitivity?

Unfortunately, it is impossible to naturally replace worn or missing enamel with over-the-counter options and dietary changes.

Once missing, enamel doesn’t grow back. If gaps have formed in the enamel layer that is large enough to cause pain and expose dentin, then you will need to seek a replacement treatment.

One of the more effective ways to treat sensitive teeth with missing enamel is to use a dental sealant. Sealants for sensitive teeth are made with a kind of body-safe resin.

The teeth sealants bond with the remaining enamel of your teeth to form a protective covering over nearly or fully exposed dentin. They fill in any pits and grooves which can invite the development of decay.

Using teeth sealants can not only solve sensitivity but prevent future problems with decay. When done correctly, dental sealants Carlstadt are just as strong as natural enamel and will last a lifetime.

In the most severe of cases, when your dental sensitivity hasn’t responded to any other treatment, your dentist may recommend a root canal, which is a procedure that removes inflamed or infected tooth pulp.

Root canals are seen as a somewhat last-resort treatment for a severely infected tooth.

Effective Treatments and Teeth Sealants in Carlstadt, NJ

Are you experiencing painful sensitivity? The teeth sealants specialist Carlstadt of Smiles by Rizzo wants to help! The Carlstadt Dentist team will be happy to offer you quick, comfortable, and convenient dental care with options for long-lasting relief.

With flexible office hours, options for sedative dentistry, and free resources available at the click of a button, there’s no better way to get back to your smile. Trust Dr. Rizzo & team of Smiles by Rizzo to help you with all your dentistry needs. To learn more about teeth sensitivity or sealant for sensitive teeth Carlstadt call our Dentist Carlstadt at (201) 939-5770 or CONTACT US HERE.