This message from Staten Island Dental Care is about sensitive teeth.
You can experience tooth sensitivity when the enamel of your teeth starts to thin. Or when nerves in your teeth become exposed. You may feel pain only when you drink hot or cold liquids. Or it could transpire any time you chew.
Is tooth sensitivity a dental emergency?
If tooth sensitivity comes on suddenly, it may be a dental emergency, or at least an urgent dental issue that shouldn’t be ignored.
Either way, at Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht we can establish the cause and treat it if it’s dental-related. If we can’t treat the underlying condition, we can refer you to a specialist.
Tooth sensitivity can be caused by:
- A cavity
- Gum recession
- A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- An abscess
- Thinning enamel due to teeth grinding, bulimia, acid reflux, an acidic diet, vaping, or a bite abnormality
- Teeth whitening treatment
Of course, the treatment for tooth sensitivity depends on the cause.
If you experience sudden tooth sensitivity, request an appointment at Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht. Dr. Hecht will determine the cause of the sensitivity. If the sensitivity is due to thinning enamel, Dr. Hecht will recommend an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste. A high-fluoride toothpaste formulated for tooth sensitivity minimizes tooth pain after several applications. However, some patients may need in-office procedures such as fluoride gel treatments.
If the sensitivity is caused by an abscess or a cavity, we will take care of that issue as well. We perform root canals, fillings, and inlays/onlays.
These habits can weaken or diminish your tooth enamel:
1. Chewing on hard foods
We’re looking at you Bone-in ribs and pitted fruits.
2. Chewing on hard possessions
This includes fingernails, pencils, pen caps, and ice.
3. Grinding your teeth
If you grind your teeth, discuss it with your dentist. An appliance can guard your smile. Then seek appropriate treatment for the underlying cause. Dr. Hecht can recommend medical professionals that specialize in treating teeth grinding.
4. Eating too much sticky food
Gummy candy, dried fruit, and even protein bars can chip teeth.
5. Drinking anything besides water frequently
If your teeth are bathed in soda (sugared or diet), juice, coffee, or sports drinks constantly, you are asking for dental problems.
6. Playing sports without a mouthguard
Sports pose a major risk of tooth damage. Most kids are required to wear a protective mouthguard on the playing field. But fewer adults wear mouthguards for recreational activities like mountain biking and skiing. Stock types are ready-made and rarely fit well. Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist are more comfortable than the cheap boil-and-bite type.
7. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush
A hard-bristled tooth brush can break teeth and cause gums to pull away. Clean away food bits and plaque with a soft (or extra-soft) toothbrush.
8. Ignoring dry mouth
Saliva is important. Saliva is necessary to neutralize acids and rinse bits of food off of teeth. It also helps clean the teeth of leftover food bits, helping to prevent plaque buildup. Constant dry mouth, or xerostomia, can lead to tooth decay. Talk to your dentist if you have dry mouth repeatedly.
9. Using teeth as tools
Use scissors to open a string cheese or pry the lid of a medicine bottle. Use a nutcracker if you are eating unshelled nuts. A quality dental crown can cost over eight hundred dollars.
10. Ignoring bad breath
Bad breath is often associated with bacteria build-up in the mouth. It might be a symptom of accelerating tooth decay. Discuss it with your dentist. (Don’t be embarrassed. We treat bad breath all the time.)
11. Ignoring jaw pain
If you suffer from jaw pain or notice a clicking sound, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist right away! These symptoms can be signs of a serious condition called temporomandibular disorder or TMD.
Is it too late? Have you already broken or chipped a tooth? We can repair it at Staten Island Dental Care. We’ve helped patients from Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Bayonne maintain good dental health with our complete general dentistry. Call for an appointment today!.
Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht:
347-695-4380
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314
