If you experience pain while brushing or flossing, or wince in pain when eating ice cream, you may have sensitive teeth.
Having sensitive teeth is fairly common and can be brought on by:
- Tooth decay
- Fractured teeth
- Worn tooth enamel or fillings
- Gum disease
- Exposed tooth roots
- Recessed gums
Sensitive teeth can be treated in different ways. Your dentist can select the best treatment depending on the cause of the sensitivity.
- Desensitizing toothpastes can reduce the sensitivity. When deciding on a toothpaste, choose one with the ADA (American Dental Association) seal. The ADA has strict criteria for safety and effectiveness. Improvement should be felt after one to two brushings.
- Fluoride gel treatments can be done in a dentist’s office to try to strengthen tooth enamel and eliminate some pain.
- In more serious cases, your dentist may recommend a crown, inlay, bonding, gum graft, or root canal.
The best way to prevent sensitive tooth pain is with proper oral hygiene and brushing/flossing practices.
Source: American Dental Association