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It is characterized by a sharp flash of pain when teeth are exposed to heat, cold, acidic or sweet foods and even by cold air. Gone as quickly as it arrives, the pain is uncomfortable and unpleasant. So what causes tooth root sensitivity and what can we do about it?

Causes of tooth root sensitivity

The causes of tooth root sensitivity are many but include:

• Brushing teeth too hard
• Gum recession
• Gingivitis
• Periodontal disease
• Damaged teeth
• Worn teeth

Tooth sensitivity can also appear in the aftermath of some dental procedures but this should pass quickly.

Tooth root sensitivity appears when the protective layer of enamel on a tooth is worn away or damaged, exposing the softer dentin. It can also appear during gum recession as the roots of teeth are exposed. Dentin contains thousands of tiny tubules that right to the center of the tooth where the nerves are. The more these tubules are exposed, the more likely you are to experience tooth root sensitivity.

Treatments for tooth root sensitivity

Treatments for tooth root sensitivity depend entirely on the cause. It could be as simple as using a less abrasive toothpaste or changing your mouthwash. It could also require avoiding overly acidic or sweet foods or adapting your oral health regimen. It may also require intervention from your dentist.

Home interventions to tooth root sensitivity can include:

• Changing brand of toothpaste
• Using a softer toothbrush
• Changing brushing style
• Avoiding overly sweet or acidic foods
• Using a mouth guard to overcome teeth grinding

In the vast majority of cases, a small change in your lifestyle can overcome tooth root sensitivity. If they don’t, we have a few options at our disposal to help.

Dental interventions can include:

• Ozone desensitizing
• Bonding, crowns or inlays to repair and protect teeth
• Dental sealants
• Chao Pinhole^TM Surgical Technique (PST)
• Gum graft
• Root canal surgery

Surgical interventions are only considered as a last resort. We would want to try everything else before performing a procedure to address tooth root sensitivity. However, the procedures we can perform are very effective at both tackling sensitivity and the underlying cause of it. The majority of dental treatments are simple and involve very little discomfort. For example, the new Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) has revolutionized the way we treat gum recession!

If you suffer from tooth root sensitivity or are looking for a holistic dentist in Denville, New Jersey, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today. We’re here to help.

The post Causes and treatments of tooth root sensitivity appeared first on Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

It is characterized by a sharp flash of pain when teeth are exposed to heat, cold, acidic or sweet foods and even by cold air. Gone as quickly as it arrives, the pain is uncomfortable and unpleasant. So what causes tooth root sensitivity and what can we do about it?

Causes of tooth root sensitivity

The causes of tooth root sensitivity are many but include:

• Brushing teeth too hard
• Gum recession
• Gingivitis
• Periodontal disease
• Damaged teeth
• Worn teeth

Tooth sensitivity can also appear in the aftermath of some dental procedures but this should pass quickly.

Tooth root sensitivity appears when the protective layer of enamel on a tooth is worn away or damaged, exposing the softer dentin. It can also appear during gum recession as the roots of teeth are exposed. Dentin contains thousands of tiny tubules that right to the center of the tooth where the nerves are. The more these tubules are exposed, the more likely you are to experience tooth root sensitivity.

Treatments for tooth root sensitivity

Treatments for tooth root sensitivity depend entirely on the cause. It could be as simple as using a less abrasive toothpaste or changing your mouthwash. It could also require avoiding overly acidic or sweet foods or adapting your oral health regimen. It may also require intervention from your dentist.

Home interventions to tooth root sensitivity can include:

• Changing brand of toothpaste
• Using a softer toothbrush
• Changing brushing style
• Avoiding overly sweet or acidic foods
• Using a mouth guard to overcome teeth grinding

In the vast majority of cases, a small change in your lifestyle can overcome tooth root sensitivity. If they don’t, we have a few options at our disposal to help.

Dental interventions can include:

• Ozone desensitizing
• Bonding, crowns or inlays to repair and protect teeth
• Dental sealants
• Chao Pinhole^TM Surgical Technique (PST)
• Gum graft
• Root canal surgery

Surgical interventions are only considered as a last resort. We would want to try everything else before performing a procedure to address tooth root sensitivity. However, the procedures we can perform are very effective at both tackling sensitivity and the underlying cause of it. The majority of dental treatments are simple and involve very little discomfort. For example, the new Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST) has revolutionized the way we treat gum recession!

If you suffer from tooth root sensitivity or are looking for a holistic dentist in Denville, New Jersey, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today. We’re here to help.

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The tooth is made up of two parts, the crown and the root. The crown is the part of the tooth you see and is made up of tooth enamel, dentin in the middle and then pulp in the center. The root is below the gumline and is also made up of three layers, cementum on the outside, dentin in the middle and pulp in the center.

Dentin consists of tiny fluid-filled tubes that usually have a mineral deposit on the end to protect it. The tubes have nerves within them. The mineral at the end of the tubes is covered by tooth enamel or cementum. These layers protect the tooth and prevents those nerves being exposed. When those tubes are exposed you get that momentary discomfort associated with tooth sensitivity.

How root sensitivity is caused

There are a few ways to bring on sensitive teeth. Surface sensitivity is most commonly caused by abrasion. This is where the protective enamel layer is worn away and exposes the softer dentin. Abrasion can be caused by brushing your teeth too hard, a harsh toothpaste, some tooth whitening toothpastes, wear and tear and a poor oral health regimen.

All are preventable.

Root sensitivity is often caused by erosion. Erosion can be as a result of grinding the teeth, clenching the jaw, gum disease or excessively chewing gum or tapping teeth. These habits can cause the bone in the jaw to recede and expose the cementum underneath. This then wears quickly as it is nowhere near as strong as tooth enamel.

Just like the crown of the tooth, the dentin underneath has tubes that can become exposed to the outside world, producing root sensitivity.

Treatment of root sensitivity

Aesthetic Family Dentistry has a range of treatments available for root sensitivity. Treatments can be as simple as using a softer toothbrush, prescribing a different, non-abrasive toothpaste or a special toothpaste designed to address sensitivity. These toothpastes are designed to replace that missing mineral “cap” at the end of the tubes in your dentin and can be very effective.

While root sensitivity can have a debilitating effect, the discomfort is usually very short lived. However, it isn’t a situation you should leave untreated as it will likely get progressively worse. Aesthetic Family Dentistry are experts in treating tooth sensitivity. Come see us today and we’ll take care of it together!

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As holistic dentists, we appreciate that something as seemingly minor as crowded teeth can have a far-reaching and serious impact on your life. It can stop you wanting to smile, cause oral health issues or affect your self-confidence so much that you cannot live your life to the full.

With this in mind, Aesthetic Family Dentistry have become experts in the effective treatment of crowded teeth.

1.  Aligners

Aligners are a very effective non-surgical treatment for crowded teeth. Products such as Invisalign help realign teeth so they are straighter and fit better in the mouth. As a result, teeth are easier to keep clean and your smile is more readily available. Treatments can take between one and two years with a series of aligners to gradually reshape the teeth.

2.  Braces

While aligners have largely overtaken braces in popularity, they are still available as an effective treatment for crowded teeth. Braces, or more correctly, orthodontic appliances, are cemented into the teeth and are gradually adjusted to realign them. Treatment using braces can take the same amount of time as an aligner.

3.  Cosmetic recontouring

Cosmetic recontouring is a straightforward procedure where we reshape the teeth so they fit together more easily. This is mainly suitable for those with only slightly crowded teeth and is very effective.

4.  Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are some times used to correct crowded and crooked teeth. This is a more invasive procedure than cosmetic recontouring. It is often the fastest way to achieve a new smile and eliminate the cosmetic concerns of patients who have minor crowding and miss shape teeth.

5.  Tooth removal

In more severe cases, tooth removal may be the only way to address crowded teeth. Those who simply have too many teeth for the size of jaw can have their symptoms relieved fairly quickly by an extraction. The other teeth then have the space to realign, or be guided into place with an aligner.

Those are the five top treatments for crowded teeth and will usually be tackled in that order. Aligners are the least intrusive and have a very high success rate. Braces are also very effective, as is cosmetic recontouring. Only when we have tried those procedures or where they would be unsuitable would we consider surgery. It’s something we would discuss with you at the time.

For fast, effective relief from crowded teeth, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today. We’re here to help!

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Here at Aesthetic Family Dentistry, we see cases of sensitive teeth on a daily basis. The vast majority of them are simple and effective to treat. Often they only need slight lifestyle changes for the teeth to repair themselves. Other times, simple, painless treatments can return the teeth to their not-so sensitive state.

Here are some ways to prevent tooth sensitivity.

Brush properly – Tooth sensitivity is caused by the erosion of tooth enamel. This can be caused by diet, lifestyle or just general wear and tear on your teeth. Brushing properly with a soft brush can help reduce the chances of enamel erosion. Not brushing too hard, using the right bristle type and the right movement can all help too.

Use a good toothpaste – Not all toothpastes are created equal. Some contain abrasives that speed up enamel erosion and can cause tooth sensitivity. Using a good quality toothpaste, or one specially formulated for sensitive teeth can help. Ask us for recommendations.

Avoid acidic foods – Food and drinks high in acid help erode that enamel, causing sensitivity. Foods such as citrus fruits, fruit juices, soda and ketchup are all high in acid. Eating them only with meals or not at all can contribute to lowering the acidity in the mouth and enamel erosion.

Desensitizing toothpastes – We can prescribe or suggest special desensitizing toothpastes designed to block the nerves in the dentin that cause discomfort. Once you have made the necessary lifestyle changes, we might suggest or prescribe a special toothpaste that specifically addresses tooth sensitivity.

Dental bonding – If you have tried the steps above and are still suffering with sensitive teeth, we may be able to help. Dental bonding is a light curing resin that coats the teeth. It can protect tooth enamel and form an effective barrier between that sensitive dentin and the outside world. It’s a very effective treatment.

As you can see, there are several quick and easy ways to prevent tooth sensitivity. If your teeth feel sensitive for three or four days at a time, you may have sensitive teeth. Now would be a good time to visit your dentist so we can take quick action. Schedule your consultation at Aesthetic Family Dentistry today!

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Around 40 million adults suffer at one time or another with tooth sensitivity. Fortunately, sensitive teeth is something Aesthetic Family Dentistry has plenty of experience treating!

With that in mind, let’s have a quick overview on what causes tooth sensitivity, how it affects us and whether it’s serious or not.

What is tooth sensitivity?

Sensitive teeth are those that become susceptible to discomfort during normal daily life. For example, discomfort when drinking something hot or cold, breathing cold air or discomfort when brushing or flossing. It can happen regularly, or every now and again. The more often it happens, the more important it is to have it addressed.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

As mentioned, sensitive teeth are caused by the erosion of tooth enamel. This enamel is a very hard substance that protects the tooth from damage. If you think about it, your teeth go through a lot day to day so they need as much protection as possible. That is provided by enamel.

Enamel isn’t invulnerable though. It can be worn down by acid erosion from food, daily wear and tear, time, bruxism (grinding of the teeth) and other lifestyle factors.

How does it affect us?

Exposure to hot or cold food or drink or even just cold air can cause momentary flashes of discomfort. Left unchecked, sensitive teeth can change the way we smile, eat, drink and even our lifestyle. Consciously or not, we adapt the way we behave to avoid that discomfort, including changing our diet.

Nobody wants to live with a constant source of discomfort as it can have far reaching influence on how we live. Plus, we all like a hot drink or an ice cream once in a while!

Is it serious?

Tooth sensitivity on its own isn’t serious except for the discomfort it brings with it. Rarely is it anything more serious than enamel erosion. However, left unchecked, that erosion and the resulting sensitivity could get worse or effect your oral health and your overall wellbeing.

It’s always best to visit your dentist if you begin suffering tooth sensitivity. There are a number of simple and painless treatments available that can address the issue. If you have or have developed tooth sensitivity, you should always visit your dentist. Schedule your appointment at Aesthetic Family Dentistry today. We’re here to help!

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What causes sensitive teeth?

The main causes of sensitive teeth are worn tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots. They can also be caused by cavities, damaged teeth or very occasionally, a side effect of something else.

Lifestyle factors can contribute to tooth sensitivity such as diet, oral health or medication. Brushing twice daily, flossing daily, limiting your intake of sugar, acidic foods and fat and visiting your dentist regularly are all good ways to avoid sensitive teeth.

What do I do if I have sensitive teeth?

If your teeth become sensitive, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as you can. We can quickly identify the cause and prescribe an effective treatment. In most cases, that’s just prescribing a desensitizing toothpaste, but occasionally, more work may be required.

As the causes are so varied, it’s best to get a professional opinion as early as possible. If it’s nothing serious, your mind is set at ease early on. If work is required, we can address the situation before it gets any worse. If there are underlying causes that need treatment, the earlier we can treat you, the less serious that treatment is likely to be.

How are sensitive teeth treated?

The specific treatment of sensitive teeth depends on the cause. In the majority of cases, a specialist toothpaste designed for sensitivity is prescribed or suggested to address the discomfort. This is often enough to treat the condition.

If the cause is being caused by damaged teeth, worn enamel or exposed tooth roots, we have a range of procedures that can quickly and effectively deal with them. We use a range of treatments from dental sealants to veneers to treat the causes of sensitive teeth. The exact treatment depends entirely on the cause.

How to avoid getting sensitive teeth

Avoiding tooth sensitivity is the same as avoiding many oral health challenges. Brush twice a day, floss daily and make sure your diet is as healthy and as varied as you can make it. Restrict fatty and sugary foods as much as you can and watch acidic foods too.

Finally, keep visiting your dentist regularly so we can identify any potential sensitivity issues early on.

If you have developed tooth sensitivity or would like to know more, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today!

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