Tooth sensitivity isn’t fun. It’s hard to enjoy a hot coffee on a frigid winter morning or ice cream cone on a blazing summer day when each sip or bite brings tooth pain.
Luckily, there are several treatments available to reduce or eliminate tooth sensitivity. Here are a few of the best.
1. Desensitizing Toothpaste
Certain toothpaste is designed with certain substances to help desensitize your teeth, reducing that sensitivity and pain you feel when consuming certain foods and drinks. The toothpaste does take a few separate times brushing before you notice the effects, but this is an inexpensive and easy way to find some relief.
2. Fluoride
Most toothpaste has fluoride, but it may not be enough to deal with sensitivity. Fortunately, dentists can apply fluoride gel to sensitive areas of the teeth, helping to cut down on pain and strengthen tooth enamel. Your dentist might also give you fluoride to use at home.
3. Crowns, Inlays, or Bonding
In some cases, you may be experiencing sensitivity because flaws in the teeth or tooth decay are exposing inner portions of the tooth (like the root). If that happens to you, your dentist may recommend a crown, inlay, or some bonding resin.
For these procedures, you may need some local anesthetic to minimize discomfort.
4. Surgical Gum Graft
Some people experience sensitivity because they lose gum tissue. For example, the gums may recede.
In this case, dentists can perform a surgical gum graft to cover the exposed part of the tooth. This involves taking a small amount of gum tissue from another area of your mouth and placing it over the exposed portion of your tooth.
5. Root Canal
Root canals are reserved for severe cases of pain and sensitivity, especially if other methods may have failed. This procedure involves saving an infected or heavily damaged tooth so that it doesn’t need to be removed. The dentist gets into the inner portion of the tooth, removes the softcore within (called the dental pulp), and seals the wound.
It sounds like a lot, but it’s also most likely to completely eliminate the pain. Additionally, although they have a reputation of being painful, today’s technology has reduced most of that discomfort.
If your sensitivity is bad enough to where you think it warrants a procedure, Absolute Smile would love to help. Let’s fix the issue so you can enjoy your favorite foods and drinks again — hot or cold. Contact us today to schedule your appointment — all new patients get a free consultation.
