What is Tooth Sensitivity?Tooth sensitivity is a common name for dentin hypersensitivity or root sensitivity. If hot, cold, sweet or very acidic foods and drinks, or breathing in cold air, makes your teeth or a tooth sensitive or painful then you have sensitive teeth.
Is Tooth Sensitivity Common? Tooth sensitivity is very common and it has been estimated that approximately half the population experiences tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity can come and go over time.
Why does Tooth Sensitivity (Dentin Hypersensitivity) Happen? Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by dentin on root areas exposed due to receded gums or periodontal disease. Receded gums are very common and up to four fifths of people have gum recession by the time they are 65.
When the root of a tooth becomes exposed it does not have a layer of enamel like the crowns of your teeth. Instead the roots have a very soft covering called cementum, which once lost leaves the dentin of the root exposed. Overzealous brushing or using a very abrasive toothpaste can also cause abrasion of the tooth's enamel surface and expose dentin. A very acidic diet - for example a diet with a lot of citrus food, pickles or sodapop - can cause tooth erosion and dissolve the tooth surface, exposing the dentin. Bulimia and GERD can also result in dental erosion and sensitivity due to acid in the mouth.
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com
Hampton Family Dental George F. Bork, DMD Route 31 N One Manor Drive Hampton, NJ 08827 (908) 574-4670 HamptonFamilyDental.com
The best way to find out why a tooth is sensitive is to have dental professional examine you. They can look for the signs of dentin exposure, and run tests to determine what the true cause of the sensitivity is. Sometimes, the sensitivity is due to a cavity or gum disease - these can be treated to address the sensitivity. Other times, the cause of the sensitivity is because the enamel has been lost through abrasion or erosion, or the gums have receded, causing the roots to be exposed.
What Can Be Done?If the sensitivity is due to a cavity, a restoration can be placed. If gum disease is the cause, the dental professional can perform a thorough cleaning of the area.
However, if the cause is from dentin being exposed, then there are a number of professional and at home treatments that can be used to reduce the sensitivity.
In Office Procedures:
- Fluoride varnish can be applied to exposed areas, strengthening the enamel and dentin
- Fluoride foam or gel can be placed into a mouth tray; you then sit with this in your mouth for 3-5 minutes, providing the teeth with a high concentration of fluoride to strengthen the areas
- Bonding agent, the material used to stick tooth colored restorations to teeth, can be used to seal the dentin surface and provide a barrier to the stimuli that cause sensitivity
At Home:
- Use a very soft bristle tooth brush, with low abrasive tooth paste
- Brush correctly and do not over brush
- Use a tooth paste specially formulated to soothe the nerve endings in the tooth
- Use a high concentration fluoride toothpaste (given to you by the dental professional) to strengthen the tooth surface
There are a number of treatments available, and your dental professional can help you find those that will work best, depending on your situation. Always seek a dental professional's help - do not try to diagnose this problem yourself. It may be the sign of something more serious, and only a dental professional can tell you what it really is.
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com
Hampton Family Dental George F. Bork, DMD Route 31 N One Manor Drive Hampton, NJ 08827 (908) 574-4670 HamptonFamilyDental.com
Your Kids Will Love Us!
Dr. Bork will put your children at ease in his care. He delivers treatment in a thoughtful and gentle manner, using the most recent advancements for dentistry. We look forward to a child's first visit at age 3 and enjoy their return visits as they grow and change each year. We teach them good dental hygiene at a very young age to help them keep their teeth for a lifetime.
No More Fears
We want your children to be free of fear of dental appointments. Your kids will always find our office a happy place to visit. Just ask any of our satisfied parents! However nervous your boy or girl may feel, we are here to make them comfortable in our care.
Hampton Family Dental
George F. Bork, DMD
Route 31 N
One Manor Drive
Hampton, NJ 08827
(908) 574-4670
HamptonFamilyDental.com
What is a TMJ Disorder?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, your jaw joints. The pain, discomfort, or tenderness in or around the jaw joints is called a TMJ disorder.
Signs that you might have a TMJ disorder are:
- Facial pain or tenderness
- Jaw pain
- Pain in or around the ears
- Neck pain
- Jaw stiffness
- Discomfort while chewing
- Headaches/migraines
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
- Jaw "locking up"
- Jaw makes a clicking sound
- Teeth that don't come together properly when eating or chewing
There are a variety of treatment options for TMJ. Be sure to ask us about these.
Let Us Help You with Headaches and Sore or Clicking Jaws
If you have never heard of neuromuscular dentistry, you will be very pleased to learn that it helps patients with a variety of symptoms that have not been alleviated by other types of treatments. Recurring headaches, pain or popping sounds during jaw movement, head and neck clicking, and difficulty swallowing can be resolved with neuromuscular correction. Dr. Bork is proud to be among the few dentists in the country who have the extensive training in this field. If you have been to physicians, neurologists, and chiropractors to relieve your pain, but have not benefited, Dr. Bork can help you as he has hundreds of other patients who have had the same problems.
Hampton Family Dental
George F. Bork, DMD
Route 31 N
One Manor Drive
Hampton, NJ 08827
(908) 574-4670
HamptonFamilyDental.com
