Our Mill Valley dentists have put together this short informative article about an unfortunately common dental problem—tooth sensitivity. We hope that this information helps you assess whether it is time to contact your dental team about tooth pain. Let’s get started!
Why Am I Experiencing Dental Sensitivity?
When you meet with our dental team, we will assess your oral health and look for any issues that may be contributing to sensitivity and discomfort. There are a number of potential causes of dental pain, including:
- Thin dental enamel
- Gum disease
- Cavities
- Cracks and chips in the dental enamel
We will be looking at the porousness/strength of your dental enamel, as well as the health of your oral tissues. When enamel is thin or compromised, irritants are able to pass through the dental enamel and dentin, and reach the sensitive dental pulp. Similarly, if your gum tissue is no longer adequately covering the tooth root, the nerves that extend from the tooth into the jawbone can be affected.
What Can I Do About It?
Use the right products: sometimes dental sensitivity, especially occasional sensitivity, can be effectively addressed by swapping standard oral health formulations for those that are safe for sensitive teeth. These formulations are generally less abrasive and acidic than conventional products. Talk to your dental team about whether switching oral hygiene products may be right for you.
Promote strong teeth: because dental enamel is so important when it comes to protecting the inner layers of your teeth, you want to do everything you can to keep it strong and healthy. Topical fluoride treatments, for example, along with using a fluoridated toothpaste/mouth rinse help re-mineralize soft enamel. It is also important that you seek prompt treatment if you notice any signs of bruxism (dental grinding and clenching) as this condition wears enamel down.
Fortify insufficient enamel: for patients who have already developed dental damage or insufficient enamel, restorative dental treatment can make all the difference to the way their teeth look and feel. Our team uses restorative materials like porcelain and composite resin to cover natural enamel, creating an extra layer of protection for the inner tooth.
If you think that you may be dealing with any of the issues we addressed today, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Mill Valley dentists—we are here to help you!