12 Feb Dental sensitivity: causes and treatments
Dental Sensitivity is an intense and temporary pain caused by the exposure of the dentine, which is the internal part of the tooth, to the oral environment and that arises after contact with an external stimulus such as hot, cold or acidic drinks or foods.
It is common in people between 18 to 40 years, and lately it has grown in young patients by the excessive consumption of soft drinks and the excessive use of teeth whitening products without supervision by a specialist.
Many occasions cause exposure of the dentinal tubules and can cause tooth sensitivity. These are usually due to daily habits of life and oral hygiene:
Foods and drinks with acid cause decalcification or erosion of the tooth especially at the level of your neck.
Bad dental brushing either by force and / or frequency and a very abrasive toothpaste can cause abrasion of the enamel and / or cement, exposing the dentin.
General pathologies or certain situations that cause an acid oral environment, such as stomach, psychological or professional pathologies.
Periodontal treatment, especially surgery, can eliminate part of the gum, leading to gingival recession.
Excessive force of chewing or bad habits of the patient can cause wear and tear and dentin exposure.
And depending on the level that the patient suffers, there are different treatments:
– Treatment in clinic:
It consists of a treatment where the products are required to be applied by the dental professional.
In this case varnishes, gels, etc. they usually contain components of fluorine, sodium fluoride, calcium phosphate, glutaraldehyde, among others, and at higher concentrations than in outpatient treatments.
A treatment, in clinic, where laser can also be used as a transitory method to eliminate dentinal sensitivity; and we can even use adhesive resins that create a sealing layer to close those dentinal tubules.
On the other hand, if the sensitivity is caused by retraction of the gums, the treatment will be surgical, performing gum grafting.
– Preventive treatment:
Tips to avoid its appearance: It consists mainly in giving an adequate dietary advice to the patient; that is, advise you to eliminate the consumption of acidic beverages and foods from your diet, taking into account those that you do not identify as acids.
It is also important to advise that the patient eliminate the exposure of acidic medications such as acetylsalicylic acid and prevent the presence of acid in the mouth.
Another factor to take into account are oral hygiene instructions. Use a suitable brush of medium consistency (neither hard nor soft), a non-abrasive toothpaste and 30 minutes after ingestion.
– Outpatient treatment:
It consists of a treatment where the patient can apply at home products that mainly contain fluorine and potassium derivatives (potassium nitrate, calcium phosphate compounds, potassium chloride …). They are sold in gels, toothpastes, solutions, sprays and mouthwashes; and the patient should rinse, place the gel or spray after each brushing trying not to eat or drink for 30 minutes. At least you should perform the treatment for 3 weeks.