Have you noticed a persistent, sharp pain coming from your teeth while eating or drinking? You might be suffering from tooth sensitivity, a condition in which weakened enamel in your teeth reveals underlying nerves that trigger pain when external items like food touch them.
Though the pain will fade upon the removal of the stimulus from the tooth, it can still feel intense enough to affect your everyday life. In most cases, tooth sensitivity will not go away on its own. You will need to talk to a dentist to treat the issue.
Treatment for sensitive teeth will often vary depending on the cause of the symptom. So do not delay scheduling a consultation with your dentist to pinpoint this cause and start your treatment. Read on to learn details about four treatments your dentist might recommend to bring you relief from tooth sensitivity discomfort.
Desensitizing Toothpaste
In mild cases of tooth sensitivity and enamel damage, a dentist might suggest that you use desensitizing toothpaste. Your enamel cannot heal or regrow of its own accord if it suffers from erosion or other structural damage. If there are no other underlying causes of sensitivity pain, your dentist might recommend this special kind of toothpaste to alleviate the symptoms.
Desensitizing toothpaste features an ingredient that targets exposed nerves and blocks them from sending pain signals to the brain. This way, you can eat as you normally would without feeling discomfort from stimulation to these nerves.
Cavity Treatment
Sometimes, existing dental issues cause tooth sensitivity pain, including cavities. This type of tooth decay forms when the natural bacteria in your mouth find a weak point in your tooth and start to eat away at its structure. The resulting hole in its surface is known as a cavity.
The dentist treats the cavity by removing the decayed part of the tooth and filling the hole with composite resin. They cure and harden the resin into a dental filling that seals over the vulnerable part of the tooth and restores its structure. This shields the nerves of the tooth to stop tooth sensitivity.
Cosmetic Dental Work
Depending on the location and severity of the enamel damage, your dentist may use cosmetic dental treatments to treat tooth sensitivity. Tooth bonding involves the application of resin to the teeth to reshape your tooth’s appearance. The resin can also cover exposed nerves and bring you relief from sensitivity.
Porcelain veneers are custom-made shells that a dentist attaches to the front of the teeth to build an enhanced smile. Veneers can replace enamel in these areas of the tooth, which can also treat tooth sensitivity in some cases.
Dental Crowns
A dentist may need to replace lost or eroded enamel in order to treat tooth sensitivity. The most comprehensive way to do this is by using a dental crown. This refers to a ceramic cap that fits over the entire surface of a tooth.
It creates a new shield over a damaged tooth so that you can see restoration of its structure, health, and appearance. The crown seals into place with dental cement for long-lasting protection, including relief from sensitivity pain. Find the best treatment for your sensitive teeth by calling your dentist today.