Sensitive Teeth: How Sheehan Dental Can Help

Having sensitive teeth can make many patients’ day-to-day lives bothersome, painful, and unpleasant. All of a sudden, that nice glass of hot chocolate, a bowl of ice cream, or a quick candy snack makes patients feel like someone is yanking their teeth, and it should be treated right away. 

If you are unfortunately experiencing tooth sensitivity, we know that you are looking for fixes, tips, and tricks on how to prevent and or deal with it. At Sheehan Dental, we are always in search of different techniques to help our patients in the best way that we can. So keep on reading about tooth sensitivity, the causes, tips to minimize tooth sensitivity, and how we at Sheehan Dental can help! 

All You Need To Know About Tooth Sensitivity

Sensitive teeth are the result of a wide variety of different causes, but a sensitive tooth develops when the tooth enamel is worn and or when the roots of the teeth are exposed. When this happens, hypersensitivity takes over, and you are all of a sudden burdened with pain in your teeth. 

Reasons You May Have Sensitive Teeth

Hypersensitivity leads to sharp and annoying temporary pain that controls what you eat and drink and how you perform simple daily tasks. Here are a few reasons you may be suffering from sensitive teeth so that you can recognize the problem before it happens or gets worse: 

Excessive Brushing

We all want to make sure that our teeth are pearly white, but pressing down too hard on your teeth with your toothbrush doesn’t help; it actually works against your teeth by damaging your teeth enamel. 

 Whitening Your Teeth

A common result of bleaching your teeth frequently can also cause teeth sensitivity. With Sheehan Dental, your dentist will make sure that it is done properly and safely. 

Teeth Grinding

Typical during sleep or in stressful moments, grinding your teeth wears down tooth enamel and can leave you in a fair amount of pain when you wake up and while eating. Luckily, there are many different ways to help avoid grinding your teeth. Consult with us at Sheehan Dental, and we will find a solution for you right away.

Consuming Food and Drinks with High Acidity 

Carbonated water and sodas, citrus fruits, sugary candy, carbs with a lot of sugar, liqueurs, and wine all play a massive role in the slow removal of tooth enamel. Cravings are cravings, but if you consume a food or drink with a lot of acids, make sure to rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth right away. 

Cracked Tooth

Chip your tooth recently? Well, it could be a good reason your teeth have been extra sensitive. Injuries to the tooth can go as deep as the roots. A damaged root means a particularly extra sensitive tooth. Cracked teeth are something that should be attended to right away, contact Sheehan Dental, and we will be able to help you the moment it happens. 

When To See a Dentist 

Identifying when to see a dentist when experiencing tooth sensitivity can be tricky, especially because the pain doesn’t last for very long, it is easy to think that it won’t happen again or it was just something you ate. Tooth sensitivity is a very serious thing, and it should be treated right away. You eat, drink, and brush your teeth every day; the longer you wait, only the more painful it will be and the more damage you will inflict on your teeth. 

Treating Tooth Sensitivity at Sheehan Dental

 

The moment you come to see us at our clinic, your dentist will identify the cause of the tooth sensitivity, how much damage there is, the area affected, and then decide on a plan of action to treat it. Depending on the severity and cause of the sensitivity, treatment options can vary. Here are a few of the treatment options we have in place at Sheehan Dental: 

  1. Desensitizing toothpaste: In some cases, a toothpaste full of potassium nitrate will help block any pathways that cause tooth sensitivity. It takes about four weeks to work its magic and is often a preferred treatment option.
  2. Application of Fluoride-  Your dentist may choose to do a fluoride treatment. A simple procedure where fluoride will be applied to the sensitive area and will strengthen your tooth enamel and alleviate discomfort.
  3. Fillings- A procedure performed when exposed roots are the direct reason for the sensitivity. Tooth fillings are placed on the roots, establishing protection that strengthens the tooth’s core. 
  4.   Root Canal – A root canal is usually the option when the tooth’s sensitivity is severe, and other treatment options have proven ineffective. It is one of the quickest ways to get rid of tooth sensitivity, and it helps release any discomfort that you are feeling right away.  

 

How to Prevent Sensitive Teeth

There are many different ways and things that you can do to avoid having sensitive teeth. Enforcing a daily habit of brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, rinsing your mouth frequently, choosing a soft-bristled toothbrush, and using a top-quality, dentist-recommended toothpaste. You can even explore the possibility of a guard for your teeth when you go to sleep to avoid teeth grinding. 

Preventing sensitive teeth can be tricky, but you will have no problem with the right habits and knowledge. If you are still worried about having sensitive teeth, we at Sheehan Dental are always here to consult with you and help ease your mind with easy things that you can do. Never live another day with tooth discomfort with Sheehan Dental on your side! 

Sheehan Dental: Helping Your Smile Everyday

Eating food, brushing your teeth, and even cold weather should never leave you feeling bad. You have a beautiful smile, and you deserve to be able to live your life without any pain. At Sheehan Dental, we know how annoying sensitive teeth can be, and there is nothing we want more than to help you.

If you or a loved one is experiencing sensitive teeth in the Chicagoland area, look no further than Sheehan Dental. Our team of dental professionals will get you back feeling like yourself again. Contact us today and put your smile in the best hands in Illinois.