Do you have thin enamel? If so, you may be experiencing tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is a pain that occurs when something hot, cold, or sweet touches the exposed surface of your teeth, aggravating the tooth nerve. It can cause discomfort and a sharp deep pain. This blog post will go over tooth sensitivity and the top 4 solutions to relieve tooth sensitivity for thin-enameled individuals!
What is tooth sensitivity?
As mentioned above, tooth sensitivity is a deep, aching pain that occurs in response to stimuli that are hot, cold, or sweet. This can take the form of foods, beverages, or even air. Tooth sensitivity occurs when stimuli are able to enter the inside of your tooth and irritate the tooth nerve.
In some cases, tooth sensitivity may be a symptom of another dental problem. For this reason, it is important to have your dentist examine your teeth and gums before simply attributing your pain to having sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity can indicate decay, a tooth fracture, a leaky filling, gum disease, or an exposed tooth root. It can also be the result of severely worn or thin enamel.
How to Fix Tooth Sensitivity
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride treatments are the most effective way to treat tooth sensitivity. Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally found in water and soil, but it is also found in your toothpaste or mouthwash to provide extra protection against cavities. When you have thin enamel, fluoride helps strengthen your enamel to maintain the tooth’s natural strength. Fluoride treatments are not only effective for thin enamel, but they can also prevent further decay!
Desensitizing Toothpaste
Desensitizing toothpaste is a great way to help ease the discomfort of tooth sensitivity. This specialized toothpaste is specifically formulated for people with sensitive teeth. It omits ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is known to irritate teeth and gums. It also contains special ingredients, such as stannous fluoride and/or potassium nitrate, that create a shield between the inside of your tooth and external stimuli.
Gum Grafts
If your case of tooth sensitivity can be attributed to exposed tooth roots, then a gum graft may be an effective option. Tooth roots don’t contain as much enamel as the rest of your teeth because they are normally covered by the gums, which is why exposed tooth roots can cause sensitivity. During a gum graft, gum tissue is taken from elsewhere in the mouth and grafted onto areas where gum recession has occurred. As the graft heals, new gum tissue grows over the exposed tooth roots and protects them, eliminating tooth sensitivity.
Cosmetic Dental Treatments
In addition to improving the look of your smile, there are certain cosmetic dental treatments that can also be used to alleviate tooth sensitivity. Inlays/onlays can be used on the chewing surfaces of your molars to restore worn enamel, dental bonding can be used to create a protective layer in areas where the enamel is thin, and veneers can also be used to cover the front sides of the teeth and act as a shield to protect the teeth. In some cases, dental crowns can also be placed over the entire tooth to decrease sensitivity.
