Your dentist may also choose to apply resins or adhesives to any particularly sensitive teeth.
These physically block the dentine tubules preventing fluid movement irritating the nerves.
The use of resins can be particularly useful where there are decay-free cavities on the surface of teeth next to the gum margin. These are the ones often caused by toothbrush abrasion or abfraction.
Sensitive Teeth Treatment Melbourne CBD Dentist
Sensitive Teeth Treatment Melbourne CBD Dentist
Apply desensitising treatment which your dentist or hygienist can carry out in surgery at the same time as polishing your teeth. This means your teeth will be professionally cleaned and desensitised at the same time.
Dental Bonding (also called Dental Sealant) can be used to create a natural-looking barrier on the roots of your teeth. This treatment involves applying tooth-coloured resin to your exposed tooth roots. The finished product blends in seamlessly with your smile and lasts between five and ten years.
In more extreme cases caused by severe gum recession surgical gum grafts (also called gingival graft or periodontal plastic surgery) involve taking tissue from somewhere in your mouth (usually the roof of your mouth) and using this to build up the gum of the affected tooth. This covers up the root and improves gum health and makes your gum line more attractive, in addition to resolving sensitivity.
Sensitive Teeth Treatment Melbourne CBD Dentist
Sensitive Teeth Treatment Melbourne CBD Dentist
If other treatments are not giving you the comfort you need and you are regularly experiencing worst discomfort from a particular tooth, your dentist may suggest getting a root canal.
Root Canal treatments remove the sensitive nerves from the tooth. While this treatment may seem drastic, it will allow you to live without tooth sensitivity in the treated tooth. Your dentist will advise you whether this treatment would be right for you.
Root Canals are also the only effective treatment for teeth that are painful due to trauma or cracks. If your teeth are broken or excessively painful, be sure to visit your dentist as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
Whatever treatment you decide on to treat your tooth sensitivity, it is important to ensure you take care of your teeth to prevent further enamel erosion and avoid recurrence of tooth sensitivity. If your diet is full of acidic and sugary foods (e.g. citrus fruits or chocolate) or drinks (e.g. soft drinks), consider cutting back, as this is a major contributor to enamel erosion. You should also ensure you maintain a good oral healthcare routine, brushing twice a day and flossing, with regular dental check-ups with your dentist.
Sensitive Teeth Treatment Melbourne CBD Dentist
Sensitive Teeth Treatment Melbourne CBD Dentist
It’s critical to pinpoint any underlying issues that are creating your sensitivity in addition to managing it. Your dentist will be able to assist you with this and offer guidance on how to handle them.
When treating issues that might have triggered your sensitivity, you might consider the following:
1. Limit your consumption of acidic foods and beverages.
2. Seek medical attention for underlying illnesses including bulimia and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
3. Request instruction on how to brush your teeth properly and a toothbrush recommendation from your dentist or dental hygienist.
4. Brush your teeth at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking anything acidic. This implies that you could require.
5. Brush your teeth before you eat acidic foods or drinks or at least 30 minutes after them. In real life this means you may need to start brushing your teeth before breakfast instead of after.
6. Ask your dentist if they think you might be clenching or grinding your teeth and ask them to make you a night-time mouth guard to prevent this
7. Brush your teeth well and clean interdentally to prevent gum disease. If you already have gum disease visit your hygienist regularly to prevent it from getting worse.
Sensitive Teeth Treatment Melbourne CBD Dentist
Sensitive Teeth Treatment Melbourne CBD Dentist
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Not all sensitive toothpastes are the same. So if you try one and it doesn’t work, have a look at the label and check what the active ingredient is, then see if you can find one with a different active ingredient.
Sensitive Teeth Treatment Melbourne CBD Dentist
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- Active ingredients in sensitive toothpastes:
- Potassium Nitrate – reduces the excitability of the nerves
- E.g. Superdrug Procare Sensitive, Sensodyne Original Mint, Sensodyne Pronamel
Sensitive Teeth Treatment Melbourne CBD Dentist
- Stannous Fluoride – blocks tubules
- Fluorides create a barrier as calcium fluoride forms on the dentine surface
- E.g. Oral B Pro-Expert, Sensodyne Rapid Relief
- Arginine – blocks tubules
- Arginine is an amino acid naturally found in saliva. It combines with calcium carbonate in saliva and occludes and seals tubules.
- E.g. Colgate Sensitive Instant Relief
- Novamin – blocks tubules
- Contains elements that can also be found naturally occurring in the body, such as sodium, calcium phosphosilicate or calcium phosphate. These react with saliva to form apatite hydroxycarbonate on the dentine surface, which is very similar to the natural tooth structure.
- E.g. Sensodyne Repair and Protect Deep Repair
- Often it’s a case of trial and error to find the best toothpaste to suit your needs. With sensitive toothpaste, as well as using it to brush your teeth, you can apply the paste directly to any sensitive areas with your finger.
Don’t forget, by finding the right treatment you will experience a decrease in pain, an increase in comfort and an improvement in your quality of life. The days of just putting up with sensitive teeth have long gone!
There are a variety of treatments available to help with sensitive teeth, some of which you can try at home and others which your dentist will perform. The best course of action is to speak with your dentist first. They are the leading authorities on tooth sensitivity and can assist you in locating the most appropriate solutions.