If you’ve been experiencing any of the following unwelcome occurrences, it may be time for a visit to your local dentist:
- Pain or discomfort when chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold substances
- Sensitivity to acidic drinks
- Swollen or inflamed oral tissues
So what’s happening here? Well, to put it in simple terms, you will feel discomfort whenever you have a dental nerve that is too exposed to irritants and bacteria. This may happen because:
- Your dental enamel has thinned due to bruxism or excessive brushing
- Your enamel has started to wear away due to acid exposure
- Part of your tooth is infected
- Your gum tissue is infected by bacteria
- Your gum tissue is pulling away from your tooth roots
Once you meet with your dental team, you’ll have a better idea of why, exactly, you’re experiencing dental pain. At this point our dentists can make a recommendation about moving forward, into a pain-free life. You may benefit from restorative treatment, that covers insufficient enamel, or ameliorative treatments that help to lessen nerve sensitivity. Additionally, treating and regenerating gum tissue can make a huge difference when it comes to how your smile feels day to day.
The biggest tip we can give you is to reach out to your dental team as soon as you notice increased pain or sensitivity. The sooner that you are able to address the underlying problem, the better for your dental prognosis. As always, our Mill Valley dentists are here to answer your questions—we look forward to speaking with you!