If you have noticed that your teeth are more sensitive than they used to be, or that you are suffering from tooth pain, it is probably time to reach out to your dental team. Our O’Fallon dentists provide the effective care that you need to minimize discomfort and safeguard your oral health.
While occasional and short-term sensitivity can result from things like dental cleanings and whitening treatments, more persistent discomfort may be a sign of more serious oral health problems, like…
Tooth Damage
Every one of your teeth is made up of different layers—the dental enamel, the dentin, and the dental pulp. The goal, generally speaking, is for your enamel to protect your dentin and especially dental pulp from bacteria as well as from irritating agents. Infected or broken dental structure can serve as a pathway for irritants to reach the sensitive inner-workings of your tooth.
Thin Enamel
We put our dental enamel through a lot, especially when we consume sugary and acidic substances. It is normally for enamel to thin somewhat over the years, but significant enamel thinning will leave your inner tooth overly vulnerable to outside substances. Patients eat and drink sugary/acidic substances, those who have bruxism, and those that brush their teeth soon after eating or drinking are especially at-risk.
Receding Gum Tissue
Periodontal disease weakens oral tissues, including your gums. Consequently, your gum tissue can start to pull away from your teeth, forming small gaps called “periodontal pockets.” Without the protective covering of your gum tissue, your dental nerves will become irritated.
Our O’Fallon dental team is here to assess your smile, and to recommend further care, be it preventive or restorative. Here are some commonly utilized treatments to consider…
Using Desensitizing Formulations
There are a number of mouth rinses and toothpastes that are made specifically do deal with dental sensitivity. Our team may recommend that you integrate one of these into your daily routine, especially if you are only experiencing sensitivity occasionally.
Enamel Strengthening Treatments
As we have already discussed, healthy dental enamel is a very effective protective barrier for your dental pulp. Topical fluoride treatments work to strengthen and fortify your dental enamel. And seeking prompt treatment for conditions like bruxism can protect your teeth from premature thinning.
Restorative Care
If your current dental enamel is thin or worn down, it might be time to use restorative dental materials to re-inforce your natural tooth structure. Dental bonding, which uses composite resin, can be used to resurface your natural teeth, as can porcelain restorations.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Gum disease is a treatable condition—we can help your gum tissue heal and become robust again. Periodontal disease treatment is designed to neutralize harmful oral bacteria, and clear away diseased tissue, so that your gums are able to repair themselves.
Our O’Fallon dentists are here to answer any questions you may have about chronic or occasional sensitivity. Just give us a call to get started!