Updated 21st April 2020
Sensitive teeth is something we all tend to experience at least at some stage in our lives. It typically occurs at the gum level, or at the biting edges of the teeth. This is because the sensitive part of the tooth (the dentine) has been exposed due to either gum recession or worn enamel. This article helps to explain how to relieve the symptoms and the reason why it’s important to get to the bottom of what is causing teeth sensitivity.
Dr Andrew Zischke
Principal Dentist
Dr Andrew Zischke is an experienced Ipswich Dentist in the fields of general, preventative, and cosmetic dentistry, as well as with dentures and dental implants. Dr Andrew has a vast experience in private dental practice and has a caring and friendly manner that patients appreciate. Both Dr Andrew and his wife, Dr Jelena, are the Principal Dentists at Grange Road Dental Group.
Feel free to Call Us on (07) 3281 6666 and we can discuss your symptoms, the possible causes, ways to prevent it and treatment options for tooth sensitivity.
One option is that we may recommend for you to initially try a specific type of sensitive toothpaste to help temporarily protect and seal the sensitive area.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
There are multiple contributing factors that cause sensitive teeth. These include:
- Gum Recession
- Worn Enamel
- Acid Drinks
You know the ones: Store bought fruit juices; Soft drinks; Energy drinks; Sports drinks; Lemon Juice in Water; Apple Cidar Vinegar. - Acidic Environment in the mouth
This occurs from not producing enough saliva in the mouth; Or because of an acid reflux issue – this includes ‘silent reflux’. Silent reflux is when you’re not be aware of reflux occuring, but as Dentists with a keen eye we can help to determine this during a thorough examination.
Essentially tooth sensitivity is a result of a ‘stripping’ of the surface layer of tooth, leaving the sensitive area exposed.
Sensitive Teeth Symtoms
You may experience any one or more of these sensitive teeth symptoms:
- Tooth sensitivity to cold
- Tooth sensitivity to hot
- Tooth sensitivity to sweets
- Tooth is sensitive to touch with your finger
- Tooth sensitivity when eating
Based on your symptoms and a good knowledge of all the possible causes of teeth sensitivity, we can start to build an understanding of your individual situation and help you. At Grange Road Dental Group we are experts at getting to the bottom of what causes Sensitive Teeth!
What is the best Tooth Sensitivity Treatment?
Depending on the type and level of tooth sensitivity symptoms, as well as determining the underlying cause, there are a number of different treatment options you may have.
Sensitive Toothpaste
We have outlined below our recommendation for the best densensitising toothpaste and how to apply it.
Not all desensitising toothpastes are equal. Depending on how they work, some are more effective than others.
This is really important to know, because if you go to the supermarket and just pick up any sensitive toothpaste, it is likely you will be disappointed with the results.
However, one sensitive toothpaste that we do recommend, is Colgate Sensitive Prorelief. Here’s the photo of tube I’m using right now, for a sensitive tooth area of my own!
How does Sensitive Toothpaste work?
This specific type of sensitive toothpaste works by plugging and sealing the sensitive dentine surface. If used properly it will help to provide some instant relief and reduce the teeth sensitivity. Most other sensitive tooth pastes don’t work like this one.
How To: Step-by-Step
Time to apply is less than: 1 minute.
Here’s how to use sensitive tooth paste most effectively:
- Wash your hands well.
It’s important to wash your hand well before touching near your face, and in this case inside your mouth. Wash for at least 20 seconds including your finger tips.
- Rub the sensitive tooth paste onto the sensitive area.
Use a pea size amount onto your clean finger and rub in onto the sensitive area for about 20sec for each surface.
- Also use the sensitive tooth paste as your everyday toothpaste
Use this tooth paste when brushing, for at least couple of weeks after the tooth sensitivity has settled. It will help to build-up a protection layer on teeth.
- Seek advice from a Dentist to help you determine the underlying cause.
This is important to prevent teeth sensitivity from reoccurring, or getting worse and causing other problems in your mouth such has increased rate of dental decay.
Why shouldn’t I choose Sensitive Toothpaste WITH Whitening?
Personally, we don’t recommend going for the whitening version of any tooth paste. By nature, they contain micro-abrasive particles, which in our mind, is not a good idea for the prevention of enamel wear over the long-term.
Also other whitening active ingredients that tooth paste companies claim are in these tooth pastes, are not effective in tooth paste form. This is because there’s an enzyme in our saliva that immediately degrades the whitening active ingredient as soon the the saliva and the tooth paste interact… which is almost immediately when you brush your teeth!
What is the best way to go about Teeth Whitening then?
The good news is that there is a way to whiten your teeth effectively and safely. Visit our page on how to Whiten Your Teeth on our Grange Road Dental Group website here, or simply just CALL or MESSAGE US for more information. We are happy to help you.
Sealant For Sensitive Teeth
Sometimes it is necessary for us to put a permanent seal over the sensitive tooth surface in the form of a sealant or filling. When done properly this is both good looking and long-lasting, plus will help to resolve your sensitive teeth symptoms.
Remineralising Calcium Cream for Sensitive Teeth
Another option we can recommend is to use a product that helps to remineralise and therefore protect and seal the any sensitive tooth surface.
Dr Jelena has a PhD. in this exact area from The University of Queensland Dental School so at Grange Road Dental Group we are experts based on Dr Jelena’s knowledge and training.
This product is called Tooth Mousse. When used properly and consistently, it will help reduce Teeth Sensitivity, along with help prevent tooth decay… double the benefit!
Why You Should Come And See Us At Grange Road Dental Group
At Grange Road Dental Group we will help you diagnose the cause of tooth sensitivity and work with you to determine the best treatment options to help you.
We help you determine risks of underlying problems associated with Tooth Sensitivity.
Furthermore, we will also help your work out if the underlying cause may also be putting you at a higher risk of tooth decay and further tooth wear. This is something you need to get to the bottom of in order to prevent future dental issues.
After all, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to Dentistry.
This is always one of our main focuses for our Patients at Grange Road Dental Group.
We get to know you as a PERSON, not just as a patient.
At Grange Road Dental Group we go out of our way to look after our patients. One aspect of this is that we get to know you as a person, not just as a patient.
So when it comes to having Dentistry done, we can help make things the most comfortable for you because we know what works best for YOU… and what doesn’t.
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