Prevention And Treatment Of Sensitive Teeth In Chelmsford

Having sensitive teeth is relatively common and can also be very painful for patients who suffer from it.

When we think of someone having a painful tooth, we tend to think of it being caused by the formation of a cavity caused by tooth decay, or perhaps through some accidental damage to the tooth, such as a breakage. There is another type of pain though, and one that is relatively common. In fact, somewhere in the region of 40% of the UK population suffer from having sensitive teeth. The degree of this varies a lot and some will barely notice it, while for others, the sensitivity can be a very painful experience.

In today’s blog, we will take a look at some of the possible causes of sensitive teeth and what you can do to help avoid it. We will also be looking at some ways that you can ease the pain and also treatments that can provide a long term solution for it which are available at Blue Sky Dental.

Why do some people have painful teeth?

There can be a number of reasons why people may suffer from overly sensitive teeth. Some of these may even be genetic, with thinner tooth enamel than the rest of us.  Generally speaking though, the majority of cases are caused by damage to the tooth itself.

One of the most common causes of this damage is enamel erosion. This can be through  teeth rubbing together, especially if they are crooked or uneven. In today’s society though, one of the main causes is due to the consumption of highly acidic fizzy drinks, especially ‘sports’ or ‘energy’ drinks. As these pass over the tooth enamel when drunk, this can cause significant damage to the tooth enamel, causing it to wear away. This is especially the case  if they are drunk on a regular basis. Using a straw is one way to reduce this to enable most of the drink to bypass the teeth, but cutting them out, or at least down, is a good way to start.

While it is important to brush your teeth, you should also be careful not to ‘overbrush’ by brushing for too long or too hard as this will also cause enamel erosion.

If a tooth has become cracked or even where it is chipped, you might also experience some discomfort. Receding gums can also expose a less well protected part of the tooth which normally lies below the gum line and is more vulnerable to food and drinks that are too hot or too cold.

How can it be managed?

For people whose tooth sensitivity is very mild, it may just be possible to put up with it and avoid eating or drinking food and drinks at extreme temperatures. Even so, we do recommend that you see one of the dentists at our Chelmsford dental practice to have your teeth checked to make sure that there are no underlying issues that need to be resolved.

For anyone who wants to have relief from this discomfort, there are ‘sensitive teeth’ toothpastes available. These work by the inclusion of desensitising agents or by blocking the ‘tubules’ within the tooth structure that allows pain messages to be sent to the brain.

Are there any long term solutions to correct the problem?

As many cases of sensitive teeth are caused by enamel erosion, one of the most effective ways of addressing this problem is by restoring the tooth so that it is protected once again. This is usually done by fitting porcelain dental veneers to the front of the affected teeth. This often requires some invasive dentistry to ‘shave away’ a fine layer from the front of the teeth. Impressions are then made following this and sent to a dental laboratory in order for the new teeth veneers to be produced. This usually takes a week or so and you will be given temporary veneers in the meantime to protect your teeth. Once the final veneers have arrived back at our clinic, the temporary ones will be removed and the new ones fitted, trimmed and polished to look entirely natural.

Porcelain veneers are an effective way of stopping the pain that often occurs with sensitive teeth. They can also last for approximately ten years before they need to be replaced. This popular cosmetic dental treatment is a great long term solution for anyone suffering from painful sensitive teeth.

If you experience any discomfort when you eat, you shouldn’t just put up with it. In many cases it will be an indicator that something is wrong and treatment may be needed. In any case, you should always have problems checked out to be on the safe side. If your teeth are causing you discomfort or any other symptom, or if you would like to find out more about dental veneers, please call Blue Sky Dental today on 01245 211070.