Medical insider
Dr Rhoda entero
FOR JULY 30, 2023

TOOTH SENSITIVITY

(Part 4)

Our topic is still on TOOTH SENSITIVITY. So far we have
already discussed the following on tooth sensitivity: the
meaning of tooth sensitivity; its reasons and causes; its
signs and symptoms; the origin of Dentin Hypersensitivity;
and some factors that contribute to tooth sensitivity.
Let us continue our discussion of Tooth Sensitivity with the
following points:
Tooth Sensitivity Treatment – Visit your dentist at his clinic
ASAP if sensitive teeth are bothering you. He can be the
one to figure out or rule out any underlying reasons for
toothache or dental pain. He knows the best steps to take
for treatment. Depending on the situation, your dental
professional might recommend the following procedures that
should help deal with your toothache dilemma
 Desensitizing Toothpaste: The pain caused by your
thinner enamel can be desensitized. The dentist may
recommend a product to desensitize your teeth. After
several applications of this product, it can sometimes

assist in blocking your pain linked to having tooth
sensitivity. There are various toothpastes and products
available over the counter, to help you with this
problem. Talk to your dentist to learn more about this
option.
 Prescription Fluoride: There’s fluoride in your tap water
for the sake of making your teeth stronger and more
hardened than before, especially when it comes to
teeth with a thin enamel layer. Applying fluoride to your
teeth’s sensitive areas should reduce pain and
strengthen your tooth enamel. You might also be
recommended the use of prescription fluoride at your
home that’s applied through a custom tray.
 Dental Sensitivity Strips: There are also dental
sensitivity strips you can apply to your teeth like the to
stop the aching associated with sensitive teeth. These
strips are thin and flexible enough to be applied directly
onto your teeth the same way whitening strips could.
They provide targeted delivery of the key ingredient that
strengthens and desensitizes your teeth from extreme
pain. It builds a lasting barrier over your enamel within
minutes, giving you relief for up to a month or 30 days.
 Desensitizing or Bonding: Typically, root surfaces that
are exposed by receding gums require treatment by
what’s known as bonding resin. This resin is applied to
the sensitive surfaces of the exposed roots to minimize
or remove the pain altogether. The application itself is
painful though so you’ll need a local anesthetic to deal

with it. Afterwards, your gingivitis or periodontal disease
will require treatment as well.
 Surgical Gum Graft: If you’ve lost gum tissue around
your tooth that’s needed to hold it together to your jaw
then there’s a way to get that gum back without waiting
for it to heal (since that will take too long and you might
lose the tooth in the process). It works by taking a small
amount of gum tissue from elsewhere in your mouth
then putting it on the affected site with receding gums.
This protects the exposed roots from pain and
sensitivity.

  • Root Canal: This is probably a good last resort that
    works not only on sensitive teeth but teeth with huge
    cavities in them thus necessitating a root canal or
    endodontic process. It’s recommended for those
    suffering from particularly powerful or severe pain from
    sensitive teeth that cannot be solved by other
    treatments like desensitizing toothpaste or surgical gum
    graft. This procedure treats problems related to the
    dental pulp or the tooth’s soft core. It’s a significant
    treatment that essentially removes the root and pulp of
    the tooth, essentially killing it permanently, before its
    remains are used to house the crown while its insides
    are filled with inert material for good measure. It’s the
    most successful method for dealing with tooth
    sensitivity thanks to its killing of the nerve itself.
    (To be continued)