O’Fallon Dentist Explains Some Of The Causes Of Recurring Dental Sensitivity
If you are dealing with the effects of dental sensitivity, then you already know how annoying and disruptive this type of dental issue can be. While sensitivity may not be the most dramatic or visible dental issue, it still necessitates prompt and effective care. Keep reading to learn more from our O’Fallon dentists about why dental sensitivity develops, and strategies you can use to manage it. Let’s get started!
The first thing to keep in mind is that your dental enamel—the outermost layer of or your tooth—is designed to be durable and resistant to sensitivity. The layers under the enamel, however, the dentin and the dental core, are more porous; the nerves within the inner tooth layer will produce pain when aggravated.
So, as you would imagine, one of the best things that you can do for your oral health is to maintain, as much as possible, thick and healthy dental enamel. Dental sensitivity may occur because:
· Long-term, chronic acid erosion has thinned dental enamel, and left nerves too exposed to the elements as well as food/drink.
· Bruxism, which is chronic dental grinding and clenching, causes small crack/chips in the patient’s enamel, as well as thinner enamel in general.
· Gum tissue is deteriorating/pulling away from the base of the tooth. This can leave the nerves in the lower portion of your tooth unprotected. This often happens as periodontal disease progresses, and periodontal pockets form.
· A cavity has bored a hole through the enamel, creating a pathway into the sensitivity areas of the tooth.
Our dental team is here to help you find long-term solutions for dental sensitivity. We may recommend that you use toothpastes, mouth rinses, or topical treatments that help to strengthen your dental enamel. There are also topical formulations that diminish sensitivity by, to a certain extent, numbing nerve receptors.
You can always reach out to our O’Fallon dentists to learn more about dental sensitivity, and to schedule a consultation with our team. You don’t have to live with dental sensitivity forever!