Sensitive teeth; a guide from our dentist

Are you fed up with drinking tepid water due to concerns about dental sensitivity? Or have you tried over-the-counter toothpastes designed to alleviate this issue and found that none of them work?

At Cannon Street Dental, our dentist in Central London can help you and your family overcome the very common issue of sensitive teeth, with compassion and a high level of expertise.

In this short guide, our dentist in Central London explores what causes sensitive teeth, how we can treat them and even how to prevent them, so read on to learn more!

What causes sensitive teeth?

Sensitive teeth are caused by the nerve in the tooth becoming exposed to the air via a hole, crack, or chip in the enamel.

And so, when you drink a cold glass of water or drink hot tea, this creates a temporary throbbing sensation in the tooth.

Our dentist in Central London has helped many patients overcome sensitive teeth and can offer a myriad of treatments to alleviate this issue.

Can I treat it at home myself?

There are many over-the-counter tubes of toothpaste that state they can fix dental sensitivity by sealing microscopic holes in the dentine and enamel, but these can create mixed results.

And while we fully encourage patients to seek at-home treatments if they are effective, if you find that the sensitivity returns, then you should come into our surgery for an assessment and treatment plan.

In-surgery treatments

Luckily, there are a few options that we can offer if you have sensitive teeth.

Firstly, and often at the first sign of sensitive teeth, we will apply a fluoride sealant; this will cover any microscopic holes that may be forming in your teeth and will prevent external stimuli from gaining access to the nerves in the tooth.

If this does not work, we may apply a dental veneer; much like a sealant, this prevents the holes in the tooth from exposing the nerves to the air and, unlike the sealant, is a more permanent solution. A veneer can also be placed on the front and back of the tooth, so it acts as a very similar prevention method to a sealant.

In cases where sensitivity has not responded to either of these methods, we may opt to use a root canal to remove the nerve from the tooth.

Preventing tooth sensitivity

Some research suggests that dental sensitivity may be genetic; thinner enamel equates to a higher chance of the nerves within the tooth becoming exposed via microscopic holes.

However, there are many other things that you (and our team) can do to prevent dental sensitivity from occurring. Firstly, you should try to avoid consuming acidic products; these can cause the enamel on your teeth to become thinner, and can also increase the likelihood of acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when you cough up stomach acid into the throat or mouth and, once stomach acid comes into contact with teeth, it can weaken enamel.

You can also seek to prevent dental sensitivity by attending dental check-ups every 6 months, as sensitivity can also be a secondary symptom of cavities, loose fillings or crowns and gum disease.