If you don’t look forward to trips to the ice cream shop or going out with friends for hot coffee because of tooth sensitivity, then you should schedule an appointment with your family dentist in Cypress for a consultation. Tooth sensitivity is not only annoying, but it may signal severe dental health issues that should be addressed. Any treatment plan or corrective action to manage tooth sensitivity begins with your dentist.
Tooth sensitivity can be the result of a variety of conditions including the following:
– Worn tooth enamel caused by aggressive brushing or by using a toothbrush that is too hard,
– Worn or leaky fillings,
– Tooth decay,
– Enamel erosion brought on by consuming highly acidic foods and drinks, or
– Cracked or broken teeth that expose tooth dentin.
In all cases, the direct cause of the tooth sensitivity is exposure of nerve endings interior to the teeth themselves. The material inside each tooth is called ‘dentin.’ Dentin contains, among other things, unique vessels which hold nerves. These nerves extend from the upper parts of the tooth down inside the root material. Your family dentist n Cypress can discuss the details of what causes tooth sensitivity.
Protecting the dentin (and the nerves) is a very hard material called enamel which makes up the exterior of the teeth. Deep in the gums, the dentin in the tooth’s root is protected by a material called ‘cementum.’ When the protective coverings of the nerves erode from various causes, the result is tooth sensitivity. Weakening the tooth enamel through aggressive brushing, acidic foods, leaky fillings, or receding gums can either directly exposes nerve endings or thin the nerve’s protective barrier. This causes the nerve endings to be nearer the surface. Once this happens, then a very cold food (such as ice cream) or very hot food (such a coffee) causes the nerve to react leading to tooth pain.
Correcting tooth sensitivity begins with a consultation with your family dentist in Cypress. The exact cause of the sensitivity can be identified and a treatment plan developed. Before seeking dental attention, good, common sense dental health practices can be used at home. For example, more careful brushing, avoiding highly acidic or very abrasive foods, and using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth may all help and could be a good start. Nevertheless, only your family dentist in Cypress can give you a proper diagnosis and guide you with an appropriate approach to treatment.
If you’re suffering from sensitive teeth, give us a call at 281-376-4444 and schedule an appointment with your family dentist in Cypress. Our professional staff will gladly answer all your questions and set up a time to visit the dentist. Sensitive teeth are just one of the many dental health issues that can be managed by the dentist at Village Park Family Dental Center. If you are having issues with sensitive teeth or with any other dental problem, give us a call to schedule your appointment. There’s no need to wait until your next bi-annual checkup. Call us today: 281-376-4444.