Dental Newsletter

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We are very excited to be the Paulding.com family! This is the first of what we intend to be a monthly dental neswletter to create awareness within our community. please weigh in and let us know what you think and if there is a particular topic you would like us to discuss, feel free to let us know

DENTAL NEWSLETTER 1

[TEETH SENSITIVITY: WHAT ARE THE CAUSES???

 

When a patient complains of pain from a sensitive tooth, the first thing we check for is to see if you have any decayed or fractured teeth. If this type of damage isn’t apparent, the next step is a process of elimination, as teeth can feel sensitive for a number of different reasons, including:

 

Receding gums: The visible part of our teeth is covered by a hard layer of enamel, which maintains the tooth structure and shape, while protecting the softer dentine inside. Gums can recede because of several reasins; you could be brushing too hard (always use a soft toothbrush) you could have gum disease or even because of simple aging). The absence of gum over your tooth roots, which are not covered by the protective enamel, exposes the tiny dentinal channels leading to the tooth’s nerve center (pulp). If you think of

your gums as a protective blanket for the roots of your teeth, you can appreciate the job your gums do to keep those roots covered. When the “blanket” is absent, the exposed roots can be irritated, which travels into the

nerves in the tooth, causing discomfort.

 

A cracked tooth or filling: A crack in the tooth may run from the biting surface right down to the root. Extreme temperatures tend to trigger pain. A cracked tooth can be difficult to diagnose both visually and by X ray, but needs to be identified as it can eventually lead to a tooth abscess if not taken care of.

 

Tooth grinding: Many people clench and grind their teeth unknowingly, often while they’re asleep. This can cause their tooth enamel to eventually wear away, leading to sensitivity.

 

Enamel erosion: Repeated exposure to acidic foods and drinks can eventually wear away the protective tooth enamel. For example, soft drinks and energy drinks can damage tooth enamel over time by dissolving the mineral structure of the teeth. If you do indulge in soft drinks or energy drinks, keep these tips in mind:

• Use a straw, positioned at the back of the mouth, to help the liquid bypass the front teeth and shorten the exposure of the drink to your tooth enamel.

• Rinse your mouth out with water after drinking an acidic beverage.

• Try and consume acidic foods and drinks in one sitting, as opposed to nibbling and sipping throughout the day, to minimize the amount of time the teeth are exposed to the acids.

 

Tooth whitening: Temporary tooth sensitivity due to whitening is common. It’s important for a dental professional to prescribe the proper course of whitening. Drugstore whitening kits do not provide the ideal combination of fitted whitening tray, percentage of whitening solution and dental supervision that you get at the dental office. Ask us how to prepare yourself before, during and after the whitening procedure. Make sure you mention your sensitive teeth to us during your next visit. It’s important for us to have a look at the sensitive tooth, especially if the pain is intense or prolonged, as we will want to ensure that the problem is simply a sensitive tooth and not anything more serious.

 

 

If you have any concerns or questions, email us at info@yourchoicedental.com and Dr. A will reply as soon as possible

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My hubby uses this office... and likes the employees who work there... they are very friendly and will help in any way they can.