Stop Sensitive Teeth

By Joseph Luke, DDS, MS

Is sipping warm soup or breathing cold air sometimes a painful experience? Is brushing or flossing your teeth causing you to wince? If so, you likely have sensitive teeth.

In healthy teeth, a layer of enamel protects the crown of each tooth the part above the gum line and a layer called cementum protects the tooth root below the gum line. Underneath both the enamel and the cementum is dentin that covers the tooth's nerve center.

Unfortunately, decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, aggressive brushing, smoking and receded gums can cause a loss of enamel and cementum.

When dentin loses its protective covering, hot, cold, acidic or sticky foods and drinks are able to reach the nerves inside the tooth.

The good news is that, while sensitive teeth are very common, they can be treated in most cases. The key is to tell your dentist if you have any sensitive teeth, so that he or she can examine your mouth, identify the problem, and help you choose the best treatment.

In some cases, all that is needed is brushing with desensitizing toothpaste, which contains compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. Similarly, your dentist might recommend in-office or at home treatment with a fluoride gel or a fluoride rinse, or a high fluoride level toothpaste that is specially formulated to make your teeth less sensitive and provides extra protection against decay.

If your sensitive teeth are being caused by cavities or damage to your teeth, the sensitivity should stop once your dentist addresses the underlying problem.

With receding gums, your dentist might recommend having a surgical gum graft to replace the lost tissue and restore protection of your teeth. If sensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, your dentist may recommend a root canal to eliminate the problem.

In addition to taking steps to treat sensitive teeth, it is also important to remember that proper oral hygiene that includes routine dental exams is the key to preventing the problem from happening in the first place.