How do I know if my teeth are sensitive or my tooth needs actual treatment

Treating sensitive teeth

Image result for toothache
Teeth sensitivity is a large problem for several of my patients as they get older. How do we determine if you have sensitive teeth vs an actual tooth problem? We need to x ray and inspect your tooth to see if any cavities are present or close to the pulp.  Infections are typically what causes actual tooth pain and not just sensitivity. How can you tell usually?

Actual tooth problem

Image result for cavitiesLasts 5-15 seconds with stimulus or without.
3-10 on the pain scale
history of infections or deep fillings in the area
Gets worse with time. (until the tooth devitalizes then it does get better)
Swelling, symptoms with touching the gum above the tooth or biting.

Image result for gum recessionTeeth sensitivity.

Lasts 1-3 seconds with stimulus,
2-3 pain scale
no history of past infections or deep fillings
Gets better with time.
No other symptoms with touching the gum above the tooth or biting.






What Causes tooth sensitivity?

- over brushing causing gum recession and small lesions on the tooth.
Image result for acidic food- bone and gum loss due to inadequate hygiene
- Erosion of your teeth from acidic foods.
- natural wear of the teeth as you get much older.
- unnatural wear due to night grinding or grinding of teeth.

Most people have sensitive teeth because of exposed dentin or cementum. Parts of the tooth that are not supposed to be exposed to the outside environment when you have healthy gums and natural teeth.


Stay tuned for the cure or call us today to schedule an appointment! (408)366-2828

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I lost a tooth and I can still eat why do I need to replace them?

Image
Did you know 69 percent of adults from age 35 to 44 has all already lost at least one permanent tooth. by age 50 they have lost 12! What this tell us is that it is not a matter of how but a matter of when. But many of my question ask me this: "I have lost my tooth for several years and It doesn't bother me at all except for the space. Why do I need to replace it?" The truth is you don't have to because ultimately the purpose of teeth are esthetics and function. If it doesn't affect either then it is not a necessity to replace that tooth. That is what every patient wants to hear; however, the truth is that there are unknown costs associated with not replacing that tooth. The cost varies depending on the position of the tooth. Majority of patients are most likely to lose their molar the first big tooth in their mouth because that tooth has been in your mouth since you were six. The second most likely lost tooth is generally the front tooth and that is purely
Read more

Mouthwash- a miracle rinse or scam?

Image
My patients always like to ask me can mouth wash replace flossing? What mouthwash is the most effective for my oral health? There are hundreds of different brands of mouthwashes but all of them really just have a few active ingredients- According to the American Dental association these are what they allow in an American mouthwash. Active ingredients that may be used in therapeutic mouthwash include: Cetylpyridinium chloride; - crest prohealth Chlorhexidine;- peridex Essential oils; Listerine Fluoride; ACT  Peroxide. colgate peroxyl mouthwash- Whitening So here is my take on how mouthwashes work. Using mouthwash to to clean your mouth is like using a pouring putting out a candle with bucket full of water. You'll put out the candle but you'll also get everything else in the room wet. When you use antiseptics like chlorhexidine, cetylpridinum chloride and peroxide it kills almost all of the bacteria in your mouth.  That sounds like a great thing doesn't
Read more

broken front tooth

Image
O no! My child broke his front tooth playing sports what do I do? This happens very frequently and is just unavoidable for most children that like to play sports. A simple uncontrolled fall or accidental elbow is all it takes to knock out a tooth. I will give you a couple situations and guidelines to follow if it happens to you. 1st situation- 12 year old Johnny was hit in the face with an elbow and the tooth starts bleeding and is loose and looks slightly out of place. Key point - tooth is still attached to its socket. What to do? Don't panic mom/dad just come right into the dentist and let us evaluate. If tooth is still attached to the socket there is a few very different possibilities for the tooth and we will help you evaluate the situation. Likely if the tooth was displaced there is a high chance the tooth will die and may need a root canal. What will we do? The same day as the emergency we will likely numb your child and try to reposition the tooth to where it sh
Read more