Tackling Tooth Sensitivity: Best Treatments and Solutions

Do you feel a sharp pain in your teeth when you drink something sweet or cold? If so, you may be dealing with a common issue known as tooth sensitivity. 

Though relatively common, the causes of tooth sensitivity can be difficult to understand, and the solutions are not always easy to find. You are not alone. Here at Crisdental where we are nestled in Eugene, Oregon, we come across tooth sensitivity in our patients on a daily basis and understand the frustration it can cause, especially when it comes to some of your favorite foods and not being able to fully enjoy them.

In this article, we'll discuss the causes and solutions of understanding tooth sensitivity to help you find relief from the discomfort. We'll explain common causes, including cavities, enamel erosion, and even gum recession, as well as provide tips on how to address them with preventive measures, lifestyle changes, and professional treatments. With the right information, you can take charge of your dental health and find relief from tooth sensitivity.

What is Tooth Sensitivity?

In order to understand what tooth sensitivity is, we first need to understand the anatomy of a tooth. Hang with us here through the boring stuff and then we’ll get into fixing your discomfort.

Each tooth is made up of several layers, when it comes to tooth sensitivity the two most important parts of the tooth are the enamel and the dentin. The enamel, which is the outermost layer, is a hard mineralized layer that helps protect the tooth against decay. Underneath the enamel is the dentin, which is a softer layer made up of microscopic tubules. It is here that dentin contains a large number of nerve endings, which can be sensitive when exposed to certain stimuli. 

Now that the anatomy of a tooth has been discussed, it is time to move on to what tooth sensitivity is. Tooth sensitivity is a type of oral discomfort that is caused by certain external stimuli such as cold or sweet foods and beverages. It is this sensitivity that causes a sharp or electric-like sensation in the teeth or gums. 

People can have tooth sensitivity for many different reasons: Cavities, wear and tear, thin enamel. When someone comes into my office complaining of generalized tooth sensitivity my first thought is that they grind or clench their teeth at night.  They are either grinding off their enamel or by clenching, small bits of enamel flake off near the gumline, causing sensitivity. Also, bleaching can also cause a short term generalized sensitivity.  This usually gets better the more you bleach. I always tell patients that bleaching removes debris from tiny little tubes in your enamel. When these tubules get opened up they cause more sensitivity. If you use a toothpaste for sensitivity immediately after bleaching the tubules will be filled again with non-stained organic materials. Thus, decreasing the sensitivity. Another cause can be seen in those with GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. When someone has heartburn and the acids make it to the mouth, this acid can erode the linguals of the teeth.

Once the causes of tooth sensitivity have been established, it is important to understand the potential solutions.

Treatments for Tooth Sensitivity

The first step in dealing with tooth sensitivity is to remove the immediate causes of the pain. This may seem fairly simple but, avoid the food and drinks causing you pain until a treatment process has had time to take effect. This could be hot, cold or acidic foods or drinks - whatever it is that bothers you, don’t consume it - for now.

The next step, depending on the severity of the sensitivity and how long you’ve been enduring the pain, is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. If you happen to be located in the Eugene/Springfield, Oregon community, we deal with tooth sensitivity daily here at Crisdental. We would love to solve your tooth sensitivity! You can give us a call at 541-844-2439. If not, give your dentist a call and get seen. If the symptoms are manageable and you have not been dealing with them for very long, there are some at-home options for treatment that we’ll discuss first and then get into clinical solutions.

Clinical Treatments for Sensitive Teeth

When dealing with tooth sensitivity, the most direct and effective treatment is going to be being seen by your dentist. By getting an appointment, the problem can be identified at the visit so that you can be assured that the treatment for the sensitivity is a targeted solution. Trying to fix the problem at home is a generalized, at-home guess at a solution where the cause of the sensitivity hasn’t been diagnosed. 

When someone has generalized sensitivity there are many options that we can provide in the office. One option is SDF (Silver Diamine Fluoride) which is a topical solution of silver ions in aqueous fluoride solution that is used to treat sensitive teeth. It works by forming a protective layer on the enamel and dentin of the affected tooth, which blocks pain signals and reduces sensitivity. Silver diamine fluoride can be applied directly to the affected teeth in-office or at home. The solution can temporarily discolor the tooth, but it remains safe and effective and has been proven to be an effective way to reduce tooth sensitivity. It’s also wonderful at stopping small cavities and preventing new ones. 

We can also use a laser that is very effective. In the procedure, a topical anesthesia is applied before a laser is used to seal the sensitive areas of the teeth. The laser energy seals the tubules of the dentin and helps protect the nerves, providing long-term relief from the discomfort of sensitive teeth. Laser treatment is minimally invasive, quick, and relatively painless, and offers a safe, effective way to treat tooth sensitivity.

If the sensitivity is due to clenching or grinding at night we'll make a night guard to prevent more damage to the teeth. We also prescribe a high concentrate fluoride that patients use at home that helps with decreasing tooth sensitivity.

At Home Treatment for Tooth Sensitivity

Aside from the above prescribed treatments that patients can do at home, there are some OTC toothpastes for tooth sensitivity that actually do help.  My recommendation is to brush with this toothpaste then spit out the toothpaste, don't rinse it out. 

Most of the time, get a lab fabricated night guard. I say lab fabricated because a lot of the OTC night guards are squishy and cause the patient to chew on them all night long. When the patient wakes up, their jaw muscles are sore.  Also, if a patient has sensitive teeth they need to stop using tartar control toothpaste. Even though these toothpastes are great at removing tartar they also remove a small protective layer over the tooth. Removing this protective cover causes more tooth sensitivity. 

Risks of Not Treating Tooth Sensitivity

While risks of isolated tooth sensitivity are not significant, there can be risks to not having the sensitivity assessed for the true cause of the problem. Sometimes patients come to me thinking that the tooth is sensitive when really it is the gums. Or, their teeth are sensitive because the patient has severe periodontal disease and there is a lot of recession. When the gums recede, this exposes more of the root structure. Roots don't have enamel that covers more sensitive tooth structures. These issues need to be addressed or the patient will likely be in for more extensive and expensive treatments in the future.

In conclusion, tooth sensitivity is an uncomfortable thing to deal with. It can take a lot of the enjoyment out of eating and drinking. The good news is that it is very treatable with options for treatment both at home and in the clinic (the better option). With proper diagnosis and treatment, we can get you back to a pain free mouth fairly quickly. Give us a call and we’ll get you in to see us here at Crisdental.