Riverside Dental

Riverside:
435-673-3363
Washington:
435-656-4441
Make An Appointment
  • Home
  • About
    • Riverside Drive Office
    • Washington Office
  • Services
    • Smile Gallery
    • Bruxism
    • Composite Fillings
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Crowns
    • Dental Cleanings
    • Dentures
    • Dental Emergency
    • Dental Implants
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Tooth Extraction
    • Veneers
  • New Patient Info
    • New Patient Forms
  • Community
    • Blog
    • Newsletter
  • Financing
  • Contact

Sensitive Teeth: Causes, Remedies, And Treatment Options

September 22, 2020 By Riverside Dental Leave a Comment

All About Sensitive Teeth

Did you know that one of the most common patient dental concerns is tooth sensitivity? If you have personally struggled with tooth sensitivity, you probably cringed as you read the above question. Once you have experienced tooth sensitivity, you’d agree that pain in your mouth is never fun!

  • What Is Tooth Sensitivity?
  • What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
  • Remedies For Sensitive Teeth
  • Can Tooth Sensitivity Come And Go?

What Is Tooth Sensitivity?

Tooth Sensitivity happens when the enamel that normally protects our teeth is worn away and exposes the underlying surface. The underlying surface is called dentin. Dentin is softer than enamel and doesn’t protect the tooth like enamel does. Tooth sensitivity is often felt as a sharp pain or discomfort. It can be a chronic or temporary problem and it can also affect one tooth or many teeth at a time.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

Many different things can cause sensitive teeth. Some people report being sensitive to cold while others are sensitive to hot. Others report that their tooth is sensitive to sweets, acidic foods, or even brushing and flossing. A tooth may be sensitive due to gum tissue recession but it may also be sensitive due to a cavity. If you are experiencing sensitivity, it is always good to let your dentist know. Your dentist can evaluate the sensitivity and make sure that it’s not coming from a cavity or infection. Your dentist can also help you find a remedy for your sensitive teeth.

Remedies For Sensitive Teeth

Treatment for sensitive teeth varies depending on the cause of the sensitivity. Here is a list of options that may be used to help reduce pain related to tooth sensitivity:

1. Fluoride Varnish Application

Fluoride Varnish is a higher concentration of fluoride that can be applied to exposed root surfaces and also to the crown of a tooth. Fluoride helps to strengthen and build up enamel and dentin layers. This is a simple procedure that is done in our dental office.

2. Covering Root Surfaces

If you have a recession and your root surfaces are exposed, you may benefit from covering the root surface as this helps to protect the porous root from exposure to water, air, and other temperature changes. Often this is done by adding a small composite (white filling) to the roots’ exposed surface.

3. Getting A Mouth Guard

Often sensitive teeth can be a result of bruxism (clenching / grinding teeth). An acrylic mouth guard can be custom made for you. This helps to protect your teeth from wear and tear of grinding and which also helps with sensitivity related to bruxism.

4. Get A Root Canal

This is usually a last resort after trying many other remedies. Sometimes a tooth is really aggravated and it won’t respond to any other treatment. In that case, a dentist may recommend a root canal. A root canal is when your dentist removes the soft tissue within your tooth including the nerve and blood supplies, thus ending sensitivity.
To learn more about the dental services that our office provides, you can click the link here.

Can Tooth Sensitivity Come And Go?

Yes, don’t be surprised if tooth sensitivity is present one day and then totally gone the next! It could be that you are going through a stressful time and grinding your teeth more than usual. This may create some sensitivity but then after a few weeks the stress passes and so does your grinding habit. Your mouth restores itself and you find that you are no longer experiencing sensitivity. It can happen.

The best thing to do is to be in communication with your dentist. Routine care visits allow your dentist to evaluate your mouth and it also gives you a time to talk with them about any sensitivity you may be feeling. In between routine appointments, please don’t hesitate to call if you notice abnormal sensitivity. It never hurts to have your sensitivity evaluated as sensitivity can also be related to more severe causes such as decay and/or infection. For answers to your sensitivity questions or to schedule your next appointment, please call us or schedule your appointment online.

Filed Under: General Dentistry

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Make An Appointment

Meet Riverside Dental Care

Let us be your St. George Dentist! As the premier St. George dental office, we work hard to make sure you enjoy your trip to the dentist by providing the most advanced dental care. To schedule an appointment, please call our office at 435-673-3363 or click on the link above and fill out the Appointment Request Form.

Recent Blog Posts

  • What Are The Different Types of Dentures Now?

    While you might be thinking of dentures as one type fits all,...
  • Celebrating Root Canal Day

    Did you know that an actual day is recognized as "root canal"...
  • Simple Habits to get into to save your natural teeth

    If you knew what simple steps would keep you away from cavities,...
  • Benefits of Caring For Your Teeth

    Ignoring your oral health may feel like no big deal. While missing...
  • How to protect your teeth during activities

    Do you or your kids play sports? Dental injuries are a common...
  • What are oral cancer screenings?

    Did you know that approximately 50,000 new cases of oral cancer are...
  • What to Expect With Dental Extractions

    Hearing you need a dental extraction may be a shock. You might...
  • What to Expect With Dental Fillings

    Did you know that dental fillings are the number one restorative treatment...
  • Can a Dentist Tell If You Smoke?

    You just got the reminder call from your dentist that your dental...
  • What Can I Eat After a Dental Cleaning?

    Do you love that smooth, slippery feeling on your teeth when you...

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment you can call us at

(435) 673-3363

Or click on the "Request Appointment" button below to fill out our online form.

Make an appointment

If you have a dental Emergency, please call this number for help:

(435) 673-3363


stgeorgesmiles@gmail.com

LINKS

  • New Patients
  • Patient Forms
  • Schedule Appointment
  • Financing Options
  • Dental Services
  • Dental Emergency
  • About Us
  • Reviews
  • Community
  • Blog
  • Contact

Washington Location

(435) 656-4441
826 S 3000 E Ste 2
St George, UT 84790

Riverside Location

(435) 673-3363
368 E. Riverside Dr. Ste 2A
St. George, UT 84790
Copyright © 2021 Riverside Dental Care. All Rights Reserved
MENU
  • Home
  • About
    • Riverside Drive Office
    • Washington Office
  • Services
    • Smile Gallery
    • Bruxism
    • Composite Fillings
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Crowns
    • Dental Cleanings
    • Dentures
    • Dental Emergency
    • Dental Implants
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Tooth Extraction
    • Veneers
  • New Patient Info
    • New Patient Forms
  • Community
    • Blog
    • Newsletter
  • Financing
  • Contact