Dealing with Sensitive Teeth? Our Dental Practice Can Help.

If the pleasure of indulging in a bowl of ice cream or sipping on a warm cup of tea is overshadowed by sharp, shooting pain, it's time to reach out to our dental practice. As dedicated providers of care, the office of Torrance Dental Care will help you identify the root cause of your discomfort and provide the appropriate treatment to alleviate your symptoms and restore your oral health.

Tooth sensitivity is a common issue affecting millions of adults in the United States. Most people experiencing this problem are between 20 to 50 years old, but anyone can be affected. The discomfort caused by sensitive teeth can range from a mild tingle to an intense jolt and may affect one or several teeth. In some cases, the pain is so severe that it impacts daily routines, causing people to avoid cold foods and drinks altogether.

Understanding the Causes of Sensitive Teeth

• Exposed dentin due to gum recession or periodontal disease
• Wearing away of tooth structure from habits such as aggressive brushing or teeth grinding
• Chemical erosion of teeth caused by a diet high in acidic foods and beverages
• Overuse of teeth whitening agents
• Health problems like dry mouth, acid reflux, and eating disorders can also lead to sensitive dentin.

Diagnosing and Treating Sensitive Teeth

The first step in dealing with tooth sensitivity is having a dental professional diagnose the cause of your discomfort. A quick, sharp pain when consuming cold foods or beverages can result from various dental issues such as cavities, cracked teeth, worn fillings, gum recession, eroded tooth enamel, exposed tooth roots, or temporary aftereffects of recent dental procedures.

Once our dentist determines that you are suffering from dentin hypersensitivity, we will recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Depending on the severity of your condition, there are several options available to help alleviate your symptoms. These include both in-office treatments and at-home care products.

Good oral hygiene is essential for preventing gum recession and the development of dentin hypersensitivity. Our dental practice will guide you on proper brushing and flossing techniques to prevent the erosion of healthy tooth structure. We may also recommend incorporating a specialized desensitizing toothpaste into your oral care routine.

If desensitizing toothpaste proves ineffective, alternative therapeutic options are available such as fluoride gel and other topical desensitizing agents. In severe cases, more advanced dental procedures may be necessary. Treatment may include the placement of a filling or other dental restoration to seal off sensitive dentin or a surgical gum graft to cover exposed tooth roots. A root canal might be considered if dentin hypersensitivity persists despite other interventions.

Getting Relief from Sensitive Teeth

There's no need to let sensitive teeth hold you back. We can help. Contact the office of Torrance Dental Care today for more information on how we can assist you in managing your dental discomfort.