10 Possible Reasons for Tooth Sensitivity

 

Here are 10 possible reasons why your teeth might be giving you pain, and when to see a doctor.

1. Exposure to extreme heat or cold

Tooth sensitivity is caused by worn tooth enamel or exposed nerves in your teeth. When you eat or drink something with an extremely low or high temperature, you may feel a sudden, sharp flash of pain.

2. Gum recession

Gums are the layer of pink tissue that cover bone and surround the root of the tooth to help protect the nerve endings of your teeth. As you age, gum tissue often begins to wear , causing gum recession.

This recession leaves the roots of your teeth exposed, as well as leaving you more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth infections. If your teeth are suddenly more sensitive than they used to be, gum recession could be the culprit.

3. Enamel (dentin) erosion

It’s estimated that at least 12 percentTrusted Source of people have some form of “dentin hypersensitivity” that causes them discomfort when they eat. This kind of sensitivity can be caused by eating a highly acidic diet, brushing your teeth too hard, and other factors.

As a result, the enamel that coats and protects your teeth begins to wear away and is not replaced. This can lead to sharp, stabbing pain that sends shivers up your spine when you bite into certain foods.

4. Tooth decay (cavity)

Tooth decay, also referred to as a cavity, might be the reason why your teeth have suddenly started bothering you. Tooth decay can linger on the sides or tops of your tooth enamel without being noticed for some time.

Once the decay begins to progress toward an infection, you may startexperiencing pain in your tooth.

5. Gum infection

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, affects more than 47 percent of adults over the age of 30Trusted Source. Gum disease is called gingivitis in its early stages, and some people don’t even know that they have it. Sensitive teeth and gums can be a sign of escalating gum disease. 

6. Cracked tooth or crown

You may not be surprised to learn that a cracked tooth or crown can cause tooth pain and sensitivity. But there are cases when you may have a tooth cracked ever so slightly, so that it causes pain but is nearly impossible to see.

7. Sinus infection

One symptom of a sinus infection is pain in your teeth and in your jaw. As your sinuses become inflamed and filled with pressure from the infection, they can compress the nerve endings of your teeth.

8. Grinding or clenching jaws

Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaws can lead to chronic tooth sensitivity, as you wear away at the enamel on your teeth.

While many people clench or grind their teeth from time to time, high-stress circumstances or poor sleep can lead to you increasing this habit without you realizing it, resulting in tooth pain that seems mysterious.

9. Dental procedures

Recent fillings or tooth work involving drilling can temporarily make the nerve endings of your teeth more sensitive. Sensitivity from a tooth filling procedure may last up to two weeks.

10. Teeth bleaching products

Using whitening strips, bleaching gels, or having an in-office teeth-whitening procedure can put you at a higher riskTrusted Source of tooth sensitivity. Pain in your teeth that’s caused by teeth bleaching is often temporary and will usually subside if you stop using whitening products.

When to see a doctor

If your teeth have become sensitive when they never were before, make an appointment with your dentist. They may be able to recommend a simple treatment, such as a sensitivity-reducing toothpaste.

Your dentist will also be able to tell if you need a corrective procedure, such as a filling or a tooth extraction, to relieve your pain.

Some symptoms should never be ignored. See your dentist right away, or contact another health professional, if you experience the following:

• toothache that lasts for more than 48 hours
• throbbing or sharp, aching pain that doesn’t subside
• migraine or thunderclap headache that extends to your teeth
• fever that seems to coincide with your toothache

Takeaway

There are myriad reasons why you might feel a sudden pain in your teeth. Most of them are connected to the natural erosion of your gums or tooth enamel.

If you’ve developed hypersensitive teeth seemingly overnight, you should speak with your dentist. While it’s not usually considered a dental emergency, teeth that are causing you pain should be examined by a dentist to rule out some of the more serious causes.

Photo Source: https://www.interdent.com/gentle-dental/resources/teeth-sensitivity-causes/ 

Article Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/all-my-teeth-hurt-suddenly#takeaway

Risk Factors for Gum Disease

LANAP gum treatment also has many benefits, including:

• LANAP is a no cut, no sew, no fear procedure.
• Overall health upswing – Patients often tell us their overall wellness improves as the massive inflammation around their teeth is snuffed out, and their mouth returns to health.
• Less discomfort – LANAP treatment is more comfortable than traditional gum procedures, both during and after your treatment.
• Faster treatment time – your LANAP treatment requires fewer visits and less chair time.
• Quicker recovery – LANAP is minimally invasive, leading to much quicker recovery than traditional cut and sew gum surgery.
• Better long-term results – LANAP does not involve loss of gum tissue or removal of bone tissue as is experienced in the cut and sew technique.
• Safe for those who are medically compromised – LANAP therapy is safe for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.
• Bad breath resolution: Dr Clark jokes that, “Bad breath is better than no breath at all!” Bad breath is resolved because the gums no longer are infected, bleeding or harboring accumulations of food debris and bacteria under the gums. Bad breath is toxic hydrogen sulfide gas. Imagine breathing toxic gas into your lungs constantly. It is killing you slowly as time goes by!

Am I a LANAP Candidate?

Who is a candidate for LANAP laser surgery?

Patients with moderate-to-severe gum disease can especially benefit from the LANAP protocol. The LANAP protocol is also an excellent treatment option for patients who are fearful of conventional scalpel surgery.

Do I have to stop taking my medication for LANAP laser surgery?

Because of the unique properties of the PerioLase laser wavelength, patients on blood thinners or with aspirin regimens do not have to stop taking any medications.

What should I expect during LANAP treatment?

The LANAP protocol is typically performed in a dentist’s office under local anesthesia. Prior to the procedure, the dentist does a periodontal charting and takes X-rays to make a proper diagnosis and determine the extent of the disease. A tiny laser fiber (about the thickness of three human hairs) is inserted between the tooth and the gum, and the infection and disease are cleared away without cutting the gums. The tooth roots are then thoroughly cleaned of tartar and plaque, and the laser is used again with a different setting to create a stable, firm fibrin blood clot to seal the pocket. The dentist treats one half of the patient’s mouth at each session, and most patients are able to drive themselves back to work or home following the procedure.

What is the LANAP Protocol?

What is the LANAP protocol?

The LANAP protocol is a minimally invasive gum disease treatment that uses a specific dental laser, the PerioLase® MVP-7™. The LANAP protocol is the first and only protocol to receive FDA clearance for True Regeneration, which is re-growing new cementum, new periodontal ligament, and new alveolar bone. These three components are needed for full oral function. The LANAP protocol has been in widespread use by the dental community for many years.

What are the benefits of the LANAP protocol for the treatment of gum disease?

• Less post-operative pain — Using the PerioLase MVP-7 dental laser, the LANAP protocol helps avoid cutting and stitching of the gums. As a result, patients usually have minimal post-operative discomfort.
• Quicker recovery time — Most patients are able to return to their regular daily activities immediately following the procedure, which generally requires less than a 24-hour recovery period. Following traditional scalpel and suture surgery, recovery can take two to four weeks, during which patients can experience considerable pain and swelling.
• Healthy gums with minimal recession — When your gums are cut, the tissue shrinks and can show more of your tooth root. Because the LANAP protocol does not cut your gums, the tissue stays intact.
• Regeneration without foreign materials — Because the PerioLase laser stimulates your body’s own healing response, your LANAP dentist doesn’t have to add foreign ‘growth factors.’

Source: https://www.lanap.com/2016/09/15/lanap-protocol-frequently-asked-questions/

No Cut, No Sew, No Fear!

Gentle Laser Light Removes Diseased Tissue and unleashes  Your Body's Natural Healing Response!!

One of the most effective solutions to healing and many times reversing gum disease and bone loss is through a procedure called LANAP - Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure.


Dr. Clark has seen phenomenal results with the FDA approved LANAP.  He has been rescuing patient's teeth since 2002 with this amazing procedure. Please take a few moments to view an animation of this gentle alternative to gum surgery.

To learn more about how Dr. Clark uses this gentle, painless alternative to Gum Surgery click here.  There is no need to worry or fear about losing your teeth.  This is a great advancement in the dental industry, one that could change your life!

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(541)451-4011  or TEXT us at 541.6DC.DDS2