Has it become uncomfortable, even painful, for you eat, drink, or complete your daily oral hygiene routine? If your answer is, “yes,” then this article from our Saint Louis dentists is for you. We’re going to start by talking about a few underlying causes of dental discomfort…
Damaged Enamel
If you have ever experienced a cavity or tooth injury that reached your dental pulp, then you know how painful this situation can be. The inner core of your tooth houses blood vessels, tissues, and nerves that are meant to be protected by dentin and dental enamel. When these layers fail, you’ll notice discomfort as a result.
Insufficient Enamel
It is also possible for your dental enamel as a whole to become thinner and more porous as time goes on. Frequent exposure to acidic substances, as well as chronic dental grinding, will speed up this process. Unfortunately, thin enamel allows irritants to reach your more sensitive tooth layers, resulting in sensitivity and discomfort.
Gum Tissue Recession
Patients with advanced periodontal disease, or those who brush too aggressively, will likely notice that their gum tissue is pulling away from their natural teeth. As this happens, the dental nerves of the tooth, which extend into the patient’s jawbone, can affected by irritating substances as well as bacteria.
When you come in for a consultation with our Saint Louis dental team, we will assess the root cause of the dental discomfort that you are experiencing. Based on what we find, we may recommend further treatment, such as…
Desensitizing Agents
These are a great choice for those patients who are dealing with occasional sensitivity, and for those people who need immediate relief. There are a number of sensitivity-minimizing toothpastes and mouth rinses on the market today. Our team can help you figure out which ones may be right for you.
Enamel Fortifying Treatments
By encouraging the retention of healthy, thick dental enamel, you protect your teeth from damage and discomfort. Topical fluoride treatments—both those administered in-office, and those that are at-home treatments—can help you keep your enamel strong and resilient.
Restorative Treatments
If you are already dealing with insufficient dental enamel, then you may want to consider covering your natural enamel with a dental material like resin or porcelain restorations. These materials will serve as a protective coating for your natural tooth structure.
The sooner you are able to treat dental sensitivity, the sooner you will be able to jump back into your normal routine. To get more information, and to schedule a personal consultation, give our Saint Louis dentists a call!