Friday 26 July 2013

What Causes Sensitive Teeth? How to Deal With It?

Tooth sensitivity is basically oral discomfort that is instigated by cold, hot, sour or sweet drinks and foods. The pain can be razor-sharp, unexpected, and can shoot deep in the nerve endings of the teeth.

Reasons for Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitivity in teeth may occur due to a variety of different reasons. For instance, there are numerous tiny tubules inside the tooth root that connect to the pulp. Sometimes these tubules let the stimuli (such as food or water) reach the pulp of the tooth that result in pain.

Apart from this, other things that may lead to sensitive teeth are:

Wrong Brushing Style:
Over a period of time, brushing too strongly or making use of hard-bristled toothbrushes can decrease the enamel. It may also cause gum recession.

Gum disease or gingivitis:
Sore or inflamed gum tissue can cause sensitivity that leads to the loss of supporting ligaments, exposing the root surface directly to the tooth nerve.

Cracked teeth:
Broken or chipped teeth can fill with bacteria that can enter the pulp leading to inflammation.

Teeth grinding:
Clenching or grinding the teeth can wear down the enamel and can expose the dentin.

Age:
Sensitivity in tooth is greatest between the ages of twenty five and thirty.

Plaque build-up:
The presence of plaque on the root surfaces can lead to sensitivity.

Mouthwash:
Some of the mouthwashes contain acids that can make tooth sensitivity worse if there is any exposed dentin. The acids further damage the dentin layer of the tooth. If a patient suffers from dentin sensitivity, he/she must ask a dentist about the usage of a fluoride solution.

Acidic foods:
Consumption of certain foods that have high acid content, like tomatoes, citrus fruits, tea, and pickles can lead to enamel erosion.

Dental procedures:
Patients can feel sensitive after teeth cleaning, crown placement, root canal, and tooth restoration. This form of sensitivity is normally temporary, disappearing in about 4 to 6 weeks.

How to reduce sensitivity?
There are several ways by which people can prevent tooth sensitivity from occurring. Here are some of the most successful ones:

Oral hygiene: following proper flossing and brushing techniques to clean every part of the mouth thoroughly can help reduce the chances of tooth problems.

A soft toothbrush: using a soft brush might lead to less abrasion and less irritation to the gums. It is also important to brush carefully and gently around the gums to avoid removing gum tissue.

Eat right: consuming highly acidic foods repeatedly can slowly dissolve the enamel and expose the dentin. These items can also aggravate sensitivity.

Avoid grinding: people who clench or grind their teeth should make use of a mouth guard.

See a dental expert regularly: it’s important to consult a dentist and get fluoride treatment bi-annually to ensure excellent oral health.

Making use of desensitizing toothpastes: there are a variety of toothpaste brands available in the market for sensitive teeth. By using one of these tooth pastes regularly patients can eliminate tooth sensitivity for good. Also, it is not a good idea to use a tartar control paste in such situations; rather a fluoridated paste is more beneficial.

By flossing and brushing your their teeth properly, visiting a dental hygienist and dentist for regular cleanings and checkups, and eating a well balanced, healthy diet (which means foods that are high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products) you can really help keep sensitivity problems at bay. It is also important that people choose a reputed dentist in case of tooth sensitivity issues. One of the best ways to find out about good dental clinics is to research online.

Thursday 11 July 2013

Can there be Side Effects to Teeth Whitening?

From the local drugstore counter to a dentist’s chair, there are several ways to brighten your whites these days. However, are these methods effective and safe? Here are a few things that need to be considered before you undergo teeth whitening.

Sensitivity
The most common side effect of teeth whitening is tooth sensitivity during or after the whitening process. This problem must fade away in one day, but in certain cases might prolong for up to 30 days. Sensitivity tends to amplify when hydrogen peroxide enters into the nerve chamber of the tooth or reacts with the enamel of the projection. The expert might recommend a toothpaste containing potassium nitrate to counter the side effects and to assist in alleviating any discomfort. However, the cure only works for some people, partly for others, and is completely useless for most.
Gum irritation

At times, the sensitivity and pain might start from the gums. Intense pain in this area is caused due to the peroxide ingredient. Usually, a burning sensation is experienced when peroxide comes into contact with a sensitive area. There are several reasons for the unwanted exposure. For instance, home bleaching trays are often too big for the user’s mouth, which leads to the ingredient touching the gums, in turn causing pain. Also, too much use of teeth bleaching products can burn the gums. In case you feel any soreness or severe pain after the process, get in touch with your dentist.

Remember, peroxide is extremely harsh and must be protected from the tissues of the mouth including the insides of the cheeks.

Pain
At the time of bleaching or soon after, you might experience a sharp, intense pain. This side effect is also known as a “zinger” and is believed to be spontaneous. Even though no one knows the real reason for this pain, there is a theory that is accepted widely. The experts believe that teeth, a lot of times, get little pathways from their structure that makes hydrogen peroxide get inside the pulp. The ingredient enters into the area and creates oxygen bubbles. The tooth pulp is found inside a compartment which is unable to expand. When the peroxide mingles with the pulp and creates bubbles it instantly expands within the chamber and produces a very significant increase in intra-pulpal pressure. This pressure leads to immediate pain.

Swallowing the ingredient
When undergoing teeth whitening it is obvious that you’ll gulp down some of the hydrogen peroxide. Taking in the chemical can lead to side effects such as vomiting, irritated skin, and even headaches. Both saliva and gingival sulcus fluid have extremely high levels of peroxidase that tends to disintegrate peroxide. Depending on the amount of this ingredient you swallow you might experience the above mentioned symptoms, but there are no real health hazards for most users. However, in case you are highly sensitive or allergic to peroxide, you must not use whitening products. Also, if you misuse bleaching products and swallow the peroxide continually, it can lead to several stomach problems.

Teeth whitening procedures certainly make our teeth glow but it is very important that we leave the treatment to the experts. It is also important to consult a dentist to find out whether you are a desirable candidate or not. It is also important that you get the procedure and consultation from a reputed dental office, to ensure a good result. Also, once you have undergone the process, make sure you follow the aftercare tips given to you by the expert. This will help ensure that your teeth remain in good shape.