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SENSITIVE TEETH ADVICE HOME
Several types of tooth sensitivity can be experienced. I t may be present only with hot or cold, sweet or salty, or from pressure or touch. What ever the cause, you should have your dentist look at the area to determine the cause and provide relief. If it is a short lived pain it may be due to exposed dentin. Dentin is part of the body of the tooth. In a nonsensitive, healthy tooth the dentin is protected or covered by the gum and cementum. In a sensitive tooth dentin might become exposed due to brushing your teeth too hard, forcing the gum line to recede, lack of proper brushing or flossing leading to gum disease and recession, gum surgery to correct for bone loss, fractured or worn teeth at the biting surface or the gum line due to bruxism or grinding of your teeth
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(View of blocked tubes in exposed dentins)
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Dentin is the foundation of your tooth and has tubules filled with fluid. When the dentin is sealed by cementum and covered by the gum, the teeth can tolerate mild temperature changes, sweets and salt. If the tubules are not sealed and are exposed directly to the contents of the mouth there is no protection of the pulp from these. Then hot, cold, sweet, salt or even touch can cause sensitivity. If the tooth is intact you can reduce the sensitivity by sealing the exposed dentin with a desensitizing agent or, if the body of the tooth is worn, it can be covered by a plastic filling. If the area is not worn you may try toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. They work by blocking the exposed tubules in dentin to reduce the movement of fluid in the tubules that stimulates nerve pain. Tooth paste use reduces the sensitivity in a matter of weeks but the sensitivity may return if the tooth paste use is stopped.
It seems that different brands of toothpaste work better for one individual compared to the next. So my advice to you would be to try a small tube of one brand. If it proves effective after a few weeks, stick with it. If not, move on to the next brand until you find the one that best works for you. If the sensitivity does not go away have your dentist check it again.
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