As the weather start to turn colder, our Elmhurst dentists often hear from patients who are dealing with dental sensitivity. If you find that you are experiencing dental sensitivity related to cold weather/substances, our dental team is here to help. This type of problem is very common, and there are helpful treatments available.
If you find that your teeth are sensitive to cold, it is likely because the dentin of your tooth is too exposed. Dentin is the layer of the tooth that sits below the dental enamel; dentin is more porous, and thus more prone to sensitive, than enamel.
Our dental team may recommend that you use enamel-fortifying toothpastes, mouth rinses, or topical treatments in order to strengthen the enamel layer and protect your dentin. Many of these treatments include fluoride, because helps to re-mineralize and strengthen the outer layer of your tooth.
Dental bonding can also help patients with sensitive teeth, because composite bonding covers the natural tooth and protects it. Our dental team will be able to give you a better idea of whether dental bonding may be useful for you when you come in for a consultation.
Sometimes dental sensitivity has less to do with diminished enamel and more to do with diminished gum tissue. Periodontal disease can cause your gum tissue to pull away from your tooth, leaving your sensitive dental roots exposed and at risk. Periodontal disease treatment can allow your gum tissue to heal and regenerate; in some cases, gum surgery may be necessary so that our team can graft new gum tissue onto diminished parts of your smile.
Although dental sensitivity is quite common, it is not something that you need to suffer with long-term. Please feel free to call our Elmhurst dentists to learn more about treatment options and ameliorative at-home therapies. We look forward to speaking with you!