Ouch! Feeling Tooth Sensitivity Again?

If you’ve noticed that you have tooth sensitivity then don’t panic, researches have shown that 45 out of 100 suffer from tooth sensitivity. Not being able to eat everything, feeling pain while eating meals and irritation during sleep can make life not less than a hell. But don’t worry; it is not something which will never end. You can take care of this painful problem.

Tooth sensitivity is caused by the gradual exposure of the softer part of tooth called as dentin, which is below the hard part of the tooth called as enamel. Dentin has tiny tubules that lead to nerves. These tubules are filled with fluid. Eating or drinking any cold, hot or sweet food causes fluid movement and this fluid movement causes nerve endings to react in response, which triggers pain- short or prolong according to the extent of exposure of dentin.
CAUSES:
There are many factors and cases which may cause teeth sensitivity or exposure of dentin. The common causes which can lead to exposure of dentin can be:
1. Cavity
2. A cracked or chipped tooth
3. Side effect of a dental procedure such as bleaching
4. Gum recession
5. Erosion due to acidic beverages like sodas
6. Teeth grinding
7. Brushing with abrasive tooth paste
8. Gum diseases
9. Root exposure
SYMPTOMS:
Basically the symptoms involve variations in sensations. It can be from slight change in temperature to immense irritation. It could mean severe pain which may or may not relieve on the removal of stimulus. For example pain can last for few seconds to hours; it can be dull or sharp, discontinuous or continuous and may or may not be present during sleep.
TREATMENT:
Now the most important question is how to prevent this problem. Treatment depends upon the condition of tooth or patient. Every patient has its own case. The basic aim is pain relief and patients comfort. The main point is to provide soothing effect. This can be done in many ways according to the extent of disease. Most recommended treatments are:
1. Desensitizing toothpaste
They provide pain relief in a low abrasion formula that is gentle on enamel, other than that they may also have salt contents so provide better results.
2. Fluoride
Fluoride helps to prevent tooth sensitivity (and tooth decay) by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks which is formed from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth.
3. Potassium salts
Potassium ions diffuse along the dentinal tubules to inactivate intradental nerves, it is commonly used in tooth sensitivity tooth pastes.
4. Mouthwashes
There are different types of mouthwashes with different contents like potassium nitrate, chlorhexidine etc which eliminates tooth sensitivity.
5. Dental sealants
This prevents dental caries (cavities) or other forms of tooth decay, works as a cover.
6. Root canal treatment
Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth's pulp followed by root canal debridement, shaping, sealing, obturation and tooth filling. Later on tooth can be crowned.