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Sensitive Teeth
When the tiny tubules that connect the inner layer of the enamel to the inside of the tooth (dentine) where the nerves live, are stimulated tooth sensitivity occurs.
If an irritating substance reaches the nerve through the open tubules, it stimulates the tooth, resulting in pain. Cold, sweet, hot and acids can all cause aggravation to exposed receding gums or sensitive teeth causing discomfort when eating and drinking or even when breathing in cold air.
Enamel cracks caused by clenching and grinding, as well as receding gums are the most common reasons people experience tooth sensitivity. Decayed teeth can also create tooth sensitivity to sweet substances.
What are some remedies?
Reducing sensitivity is related to closing exposed inner nerve tubules.
Gum recession
The use of desensitising toothpastes is recommended. The key to their use is to apply them at night before sleep, in thin layers but do not rinse after application.
This gives the ingredients time to work on the exposed areas.
Internal issues
A comprehensive exam to find new decay, a cracked tooth or leaking old filling. Once the cause is confirmed the filling needs replacement of the tooth rebuilt.
What is a cracked tooth?
Cracked tooth
Cracked teeth are a real concern as there is a risk of tooth loss.
- Grinding while sleeping, exacerbated by sleep apnoea
- Night time grinding made worse by certain medications
- Deep fillings that act as a wedge while biting firmly
- Over erupted and tilted teeth
What is root canal treatment?
- When a tooth becomes severely decayed or cracked, bacteria form the mouth can penetrate to the tooth nerve.
- The nerve can die and become infected.
- Inside each tooth is the pulp (nerve) which provides the tooth with sensation and nutrients from blood vessels in the jaw.
- Root canal treatment is a process to prevent infection from spreading and remove the pain.
- The tooth can be kept and doesn’t need to be extracted.
- Canals inside the tooth (that housed the original pulp) are cleaned and sealed for future long-term tooth stability
A crown is commonly fitted over the tooth to re-establish the tooth’s strength and prevent the risk of the weakened tooth from fracturing under normal chewing loads.
Root Canal Treatment Verses a Dental Implant
| ROOT CANAL | IMPLANT | |
|---|---|---|
| COST | Can be costly | More costly |
| TIME | Several visits | Several visits |
| SURGERY | No | Yes |
| SUCCESS | Good-very good | Very good-excellent |
| SPECIALIST | Molar (back) teeth | Yes, if bone graft required |
| SEVERELY BROKEN TOOTH | Poor success | Very good success |
| HEALTHY | Yes-If no residual infection | Yes-If no residual infection |
| HOLISTIC | Not preferred | Preferred |
| OVERALL | Depends on how much healthy tooth remains. Will it last 5 years plus? | Depends on how much healthy bone and gum is present. After the first 3 years success increases. |
Delaying treatment
An infected tooth can cause several complications:
- An abscess localised in the jaw leading to pain.
- An infection (abscess) spreading into the bloodstream which can cause fever, illness, or swelling of the face and neck with potential breathing issues. Hospital ICUs regularly have patients with life-threatening facial abscesses.
- Deterioration of the bone around the tooth.
- Tooth loss/fracture when the decay and internal nerve infection has weakened the tooth.
Health Funds we Partner With
WE SUPPORT & ACCEPT ALL LEADING HEALTH FUNDS