Are You Suffering With Your Sensitive Teeth?

Your local Ashby and Burton dentist discusses causes and possible solutions in our latest blog.

If you are one of the unfortunate people who experience a degree of pain, or discomfort, when you eat or drink something hot or cold, the likely cause of this is that you may have sensitive teeth.

For some people, this discomfort is relatively minor and soon dissipates. For others though, the pain can be quite severe and can last for several hours at a time.

Whilst some people may have a hereditary predisposition to this problem, in the majority of cases, there is an underlying dental issue that needs to be addressed. Unfortunately, it is impossible to give a definitive cause without a full examination. These can be arranged by ringing our local dental practice serving Burton and Ashby on 01283 216347 to arrange an appointment.

Potential Causes of Sensitive Teeth

1 – One of the most common causes of sensitivity of the teeth is erosion of the enamel. The enamel is that hard white exterior of our teeth which protects the soft inner pulp which contains the nerves. Once the enamel becomes eroded, the nerves are less protected and it is no surprise therefore that this means extremes of temperature will affect the sensitivity of the teeth.

Solution – In many cases, the erosion occurs at the front of the teeth. For some more serious cases, dental veneers can offer an excellent way to not only improve the appearance of the teeth but to offer a protective barrier too.

2. Tooth grinding is also a known cause, and is likely to eventually cause damage to the enamel. This can even sometimes result in a fracturing of the teeth, once again exposing the nerves.

Solution – Solutions are available to help with preventing bruxism. Please contact our team for further information about bruxism prevention, the causes of which are likely to vary from individual to individual.

3. Old fillings will eventually deteriorate and a damaged filling will allow heat and other factors that cause sensitive teeth, to find their way to the nerves in the inner pulp.

Solution – If a filling is damaged, we are able to remove this and replace it with a mercury free filling that will not only seal the tooth but offer a much better appearance than amalgam fillings.

4 – Gum disease and recession of the gums may also cause the teeth to become more sensitive than normal.

With gum disease, the problem will become particularly noticeable the longer it is left. It really cannot be stated often enough that gum disease is quite easily treatable in its early stages and yet we see too many new patients who have left it far too long until they are in some discomfort.

Please, if you are experiencing sore or bleeding gums, pay us a visit as soon as you can to avoid preventable dental problems.

Solution – Make an appointment with our hygienist who will discuss treatment options and also advise on future gum disease prevention.

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