Have you ever bitten into an ice cream bar and felt a sharp bolt of pain in your tooth? If so, then you are familiar with tooth sensitivity. This is a type of oral pain in which an external stimulus, such as food, touches an exposed nerve within a tooth, sending pain signals to the brain.
Though the pain is intermittent, resolving upon the removal of the stimulus, it can feel excruciating. Even if you think you can tolerate this discomfort, you should not ignore it. Tooth sensitivity might be a sign of a larger dental problem that will require intervention from a dentist.
Treatment for sensitive teeth may vary depending on the underlying cause of this symptom. Schedule a dental consultation right away to determine this cause and alleviate this oral pain. You can also find three ways to relieve tooth sensitivity when you read on.
Use Desensitizing Toothpaste
Tooth sensitivity pain occurs when an item stimulates a nerve exposed within the tooth. One way to relieve this type of tooth pain is to use a product that can block these nerves from transmitting the pain signals.
Desensitizing toothpaste can accomplish this because it contains an ingredient that targets these nerves and temporarily plugs holes that would reveal them. Then you can eat and drink without worrying about anything causing you pain.
Treat Tooth Decay
Tooth sensitivity might occur as a side effect of a type of dental damage called tooth decay. It forms when oral bacteria eat away at your dental structure, eroding healthy enamel and exposing underlying nerves. If decay creates a hole in your tooth, dentists refer to the issue as a cavity.
Cavities will require intervention from a dentist to treat. They will remove the decayed part of the tooth and restore its structure using a composite resin dental filling. The filling will cover any exposed nerves in the area, so it will stop sensitivity pain too.
Dental Crown Placement
A healthy dental patient has a strong outer shell over each tooth called enamel. This layer serves as a shield over nerves and the vulnerable interior of a tooth. Though durable, enamel might wear down or erode over time. If this happens, underlying nerves will become exposed, putting you in danger of sensitivity pain.
Enamel will not regenerate of its own accord, so you will need to talk to your dentist about ways to replace lost enamel. The most beneficial way to do this is with a dental crown.
This treatment involves placing a custom-made ceramic cap over the tooth’s surface and sealing it into place with dental cement. The crown will restore the damaged tooth and remain securely in place for fifteen years.
This ensures that you have long-lasting relief from tooth sensitivity among other restorative dental benefits. Find the best method of resolving your tooth pain by giving your dentist a call as soon as possible.