Tooth sensitivity is a common dental problem that causes pain in teeth when encountering certain food and drinks. The pain is often sharp, sudden and will go away once the stimulus is removed. In healthy teeth, the outer enamel protects the inner layer of the tooth called dentine, which is connected to the nerve. When the enamel is worn down, or the dentine is exposed through gum recession, the tooth may become sensitive. Cavities, cracked teeth, deep fillings can may cause sensitivity.
In healthy teeth, often a sensitive toothpaste will help to reduce or completely remove the sensitivity. At Dental One Craigieburn, we offer our patients profession in chair fluoride treatments which help to strengthen the enamel and can reduce sensitivity.
In cases when topical treatments don’t work, fillings can be placed to protect the worn enamel or cover any exposed dentine.
In teeth with cracks, tooth decay or deep fillings, sensitivity may suggest irreversible damage to the nerve which may require root canal treatment or in very severe cases of tooth loss, removal of the tooth.
Worn enamel throughout the mouth may suggest grinding or clenching of the teeth. Dental One Craigieburn offers patients suffering from grinding professionally fitted night guards which protect the teeth from further damage.
