Sensitive teeth: Causes and Treatment

If a taste of ice cream or a sip of coffee is sometimes painful or if brushing or flossing makes you wince occasionally, you may have a common problem called "sensitive teeth." Some of the causes include tooth decay, a cracked tooth, worn tooth enamel, worn fillings and tooth roots that are exposed as a result of aggressive tooth brushing, gum recession and periodontal (gum) disease.

Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth

A layer of enamel, the strongest substance in the body, protects the crowns of healthy teeth. A layer called cementum protects the tooth root under the gum line. Underneath the enamel and the cementum is dentin, a part of the tooth that is less dense than enamel or cementum.

The dentin contains microscopic tubules (small hollow tubes or canals). When the dentin loses its protective covering, the tubules allow heat and cold or acidic or sticky foods to stimulate the nerves and cells inside the tooth. This may cause hypersensitivity and occasional discomfort when you chew, drink cold or hot liquids, or when you breathe through your mouth.

Proper oral hygiene is an important step in preventing tooth decay, periodontal disease and pain from sensitive teeth. If you brush your teeth incorrectly or brush too aggressively, you may injure your gums and expose tooth roots.

Periodontal disease-an infection of the gums and bone that support the teeth-also may be responsible. If periodontal disease is left untreated, gum tissues can separate from the teeth and form spaces called pockets that provide a home for bacteria. Periodontal disease can progress until the bone and other toothsupporting tissues are destroyed, leaving the root surfaces of teeth exposed. Regular dental checkups are important so that tooth decay, periodontal disease and other problems may be detected and treated in the early stages.

Treatment

Sensitive teeth can be treated. Depending on the cause, your dentist may suggest that you try desensitizing toothpaste, which contains compounds that help block sensation traveling from the tooth surface to the nerve. Desensitizing toothpaste usually requires several applications before the sensitivity is reduced. When choosing toothpaste or any other dental care products, look for those that display the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance-your assurance that products have met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness.

If the desensitizing toothpaste does not ease your discomfort, your dentist may suggest inoffice treatments. A fluoride gel or special desensitizing agents may be applied to the sensitive areas of the affected teeth. When these measures do not correct the problem, your dentist may recommend other treatments, such as a filling, a crown, an inlay or bonding to correct a flaw or decay that results in sensitivity. The type of treatment will depend on what is causing the sensitivity.

If gum tissue has been lost from the root (gum recession), your dentist may recommend a surgical gum graft to cover the root, protect the tooth and reduce the sensitivity. In cases in which hypersensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, your dentist may recommend endodontic (root canal) treatment to eliminate the problem.