Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

    DENVER, CO, December 16, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Sensitive teeth are a painful and persistent problem for many people, especially between the ages of 25 and 30. For some, cold foods like ice cream, cold drinks, and even breathing cold air can cause severe pain. Others may be sensitive to sweet or sour flavors or hot temperatures.

Basically, tooth sensitivity occurs whenever the dentin layer of a tooth is exposed. Dentin is the softer tissue usually protected by the hard, outer layer of enamel or by gum tissue at the roots. The dentin layer contains thousands of channels that connect to the nerve at the center of the tooth, which carries pain signals to the brain. Therefore, when the dentin is exposed, hot or cold temperatures and strong flavors can enter these channels and cause the nerve to send those pain signals.

While dentin exposure is the direct cause of tooth sensitivity, there are many possible ways the dentin can become exposed . Probably the most common cause of dentin exposure is the wearing away or recession of the gums from around the roots of teeth . This can be the result of gum disease or simply brushing too hard with a tough-bristled toothbrush, which can cause gums to recede or wear away protective enamel.

Another cause of tooth sensitivity is chipped or broken teeth . Bacteria enter the cracks and multiply, eventually getting the sensitive interior layers of the tooth. This problem can be fixed by an experienced cosmetic dentist with white fillings, dental crowns, or sealants.

Actually, old or improperly performed tooth restorations can also cause tooth sensitivity if the material used shifts, wears away, or leaks into sensitive layers of the tooth. For that reason, choosing a dentist with more than 20 years of experience can bring you peace of mind knowing that your cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, or general dentistry procedure will be done thoroughly and correctly.

Proper oral hygiene is a key component of preventing another cause of tooth sensitivity, tooth decay near the roots. When cavities develop near the root, the dentin layer can become exposed, causing sensitivity and pain.

There are various treatment options for sensitive teeth . For milder cases, desensitizing toothpaste may do the trick . For more painful or severe cases, a dentist may recommend a white filling or sealant to cover the exposed root or dentin and eliminate the pain of sensitive teeth.

To find out more about sensitive teeth or what a cosmetic dentist in the Denver/Lakewood area can do to reduce the pain of sensitive teeth, please visit the website of Denver general and cosmetic dentist, Scott Greenhalgh, DDS today.

Website: http://www.scottgreenhalghdds.com

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