You don’t have to suffer with sensitive teeth or a toothache that won’t go away. A dentist can identify what is causing your discomfort and recommend solutions to desensitize your teeth and fix what is causing your toothache.
What are some causes of sensitive teeth?
Dr. John Vitale: I think the three main causes of sensitive teeth are gum disease, overaggressive brushing, and a condition in your mouth where your saliva is more acidic.
Can a dentist help someone with sensitive teeth with any specific dental treatments, or are there things people can do at home to alleviate the sensitivity?
Dr. John Vitale: Yes, the dentist can help. Generally, we administer fluoride treatment and we have solutions that we call desensitizing solutions. People can use Sensodyne toothpaste or any other comparable brand that has the same effect to desensitize the areas around the teeth. So yes, and there are also some rinses. I think Listerine makes a product called Gum Treatment and that works nicely in also reducing sensitivity.
What is the difference between a toothache and sensitive teeth?
Dr. John Vitale: Well, there’s a very big difference. I mean a toothache generally hurts a lot. It’s a throbbing pain. Sometimes it lasts for a really long time, whereas a sensitive tooth is a different kind of pain. It’s a more acute type of pain that one gets like when you’re drinking something cold or hot that usually dissipates after 30 seconds or a minute or what have you.
What are some common causes of toothaches and what can be done to alleviate them?
Dr. John Vitale: The biggest cause for toothaches are tooth decay, abscessed teeth, fractured teeth, broken fillings, and infected gums. Those are probably the common causes of toothaches.
If you have been living with a tooth that has been bothering you, when should you take the time to see a dentist?
Dr. John Vitale: That’s a pretty easy answer, right away. If you really want to live with it, you can I guess, until it becomes overwhelming. Generally, the first sign of pain in your mouth usually indicates that there’s something starting and so it would be good to nip it in the bud before it becomes something more drastic.
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