There are several strategies to help with sensitive teeth. A few, you can do yourself. Some of them, your Carlsbad dentist will have to do for you. Not every treatment will work for every patient, so your dentist in Del Mar will discuss things with you before performing any dental work.
The first thing you can do is to use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Almost all of these toothpastes are available over-the-counter. These products contain rudimentary pain-blocking ingredients, and they work fairly well a lot of the time. Your dentist in Encinitas can recommend one or more of these products that’ll fit your particular case.
Fluoride will help in some cases too. In addition to using a fluoridated toothpaste, you can have fluoride applied directly to your teeth. This will shore up your tooth enamel, which will cover the sensitive area and reduce the pain you feel. If warranted, your dentist will also have you apply fluoride at home with a customized tray.
Sometimes, your enamel will be degraded enough that an application of resin will be necessary. If this is the case, you might need to have a local anesthetic like novocaine. Your Carlsbad dentist will bond the resin to the areas of exposed root.
If your tooth is showing lots of root, then it may be necessary to graft gum tissue from somewhere else in your mouth over the exposed area. Depending on your case, you might need either local anesthetic or general anesthetic, and your dentist in Del Mar will let you know before proceeding.
When all else fails, then there is the option of your dentist in Encinitas performing a root canal. It’s proven effective in almost all cases of sensitive teeth. In cases where you have an infection, it’s the first choice for treatment because it removes the infection from your mouth.
After receiving treatment, there are simple steps you can take to make sure you don’t have trouble down the line. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Don’t use toothpastes with abrasive ingredients, and don’t scrub firmly. Instead, use soft circular motions when brushing. After brushing, floss your teeth to get rid of any detritus that’s between your teeth. Use a mouthguard if you grind your teeth while sleeping. Also, limit acidic drinks like carbonated sodas or alcohol. When possible, use a straw to drink these beverages. It’s also a very good idea to drink plain water directly after drinking something acidic. This washes the acid off of your teeth and lengthens the lifespan of both your natural enamel and any work we’ve performed for you.
If you have sensitive teeth, book an appointment with us now. After a consultation, we’ll recommend the best course of action for you based on all factors involved with your case. We want to see you smiling, and we’ll strive to get you there.
