Have you been wincing whenever you take a sip of your morning coffee lately? Or have you been avoiding ice cream because of the discomfort it causes you? The pain felt by a sensitive tooth can make it much harder to enjoy hot or cold foods and beverages, but fortunately you won’t have to deal with it the rest of your life – as long as you get the proper treatment! Keep reading to learn more about what leads to tooth sensitivty as well as a possible solution for the pain.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Anyone can develop sensitive teeth that react painfully to air, temperature, or particularly sweet or acidic foods. Common causes include:
- Brushing Too Hard: If you’re too rough with your teeth, your toothbrush might wear away the enamel, exposing the softer, more sensitive dentin underneath.
- Receding Gums: Gum disease can cause the tissues protecting the roots of the teeth to pull back.
- Cracked Teeth: A crack can give bacteria an opening to enter the tooth and attack the inner pulp. In addition to sensitivity, this can also lead to an infection.
- Bruxism: Clenching and grinding your teeth at night is hard on your enamel.
- Long-Term Use of Mouthwash: Certain mouthwashes that you can buy over the counter contain acids that can worsen tooth sensitivity and damage the dentin layer.
- Certain Dental Procedures: After a professional cleaning, root planing, or a tooth restoration procedure, it’s normal to experience some tooth sensitivity for four to six weeks.
- Serious Dental Issues: In some cases, your toothache will be a side effect of advanced decay or infection.
What’s the Solution for Sensitive Teeth?
If your sensitive teeth are the result of a more pressing oral health issue, said issue will need to be treated. But for patients who only need to treat the sensitivity itself, Vanish XT could be the ultimate solution. This combination of fluoride and other minerals helps seal off the tubules in the tooth that connect to its nerves, thus protecting it from temperature changes or other stimuli that might aggravate it.
Not only does Vanish XT reduce tooth sensitivity, but it also helps fight against demineralization and acid erosion – even on the parts of the tooth where it wasn’t directly applied. The effects of the treatment normally last about six months or longer, so it’s a good idea to have it done during your regular appointments. It’s a fast, painless procedure that will ultimately let you enjoy all your favorite foods and beverages again.
Have you noticed your teeth becoming sensitive lately? Call your dentist today to ask if they offer Vanish XT or another type of treatment. Why live with the discomfort when you can directly address the root of the problem.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Blake has been serving the Beverly Farms community with a common-sense, hands-on approach to dentistry since 1986. His hard work with the Massachusetts Dental Society helped make the Tankee Dental Congress one of the preeminent dental education programs in the world. His practice, Beverly Farms Dental, offers a wide array of services, including Vanish XT for sensitive teeth. To schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (978) 927-3515.