London cosmetic dentistry

Posts Tagged ‘tooth sensitivity’

Consult your London Dentist for Information on Tooth Sensitivity

Saturday, September 12th, 2009

Tooth sensitivity can be defined as the tingling feeling or the flash of pain that can be constantly or intermittently felt on all the teeth or one or more teeth. This is a very common condition that affects many people worldwide and can be caused by various reasons;• Aging – with progressing age, the tooth enamel gradually wears down exposing the dentin which can cause sensitivity.
• Receding of the gums
• Excess intake of acidic beverages like soda which can cause thinning of the tooth enamel
• Using a hard toothbrush or brushing the teeth too harshly; this can also wear down the enamel revealing the dentin.
• Tooth grinding
• Dental procedures like teeth whitening root canal therapy or teeth restorations.
• Periodontitis, chipped tooth or root nerve damage.

It is ideal to consult your London dentist to ascertain the root cause of your hypersensitivity. There are various treatment options to control or cure tooth sensitivity. These include self-help options like toothpastes, gels and fluoride rinses which leave a protective coating on the sensitive tooth. Use of a soft bristled toothbrush is extremely effective to get relief from this condition.

Dentists can also recommend the use of a desensitizer which are of two types; an in-office desensitizer which is applied by the dentist on the sensitive teeth and over-the-counter desensitizer which can be purchased at any local pharmacy store. If you have the habit of using tobacco or snuff, it is time to kick the habit if you have sensitive teeth as this can only worsen the condition.

And always remember to brush and floss regularly and keep your teeth clean to avoid the deposition of plaque which can cause irritation and teeth sensitivity.

Over Brushing Teeth in London

Saturday, March 14th, 2009

Although brushing your teeth after each meal is considered to be hygienic, there is what dental experts in London refer to as over brushing. In fact, there is an increasing trend of dental problems associated with this brushing behavior.

Studies have revealed that the incidence of over brushing is currently high. A lot of dentists have noticed a growing number of individuals showing signs such as:

• Enamel damage
• Increased sensitivity

Contrary to popular belief, over brushing cannot be blamed on the bristles of your toothbrush but on the kind of toothpaste you are using. In recent years, people have started buying tooth whitening products left and right not knowing that a lot of them can damage the enamel of the teeth. Combine this with the incorrect habit of brushing vigorously and you will get damaged teeth.

You can easily avoid over brushing teeth by having a bit of common sense. Keep the following in mind:

• Follow your dentist’s advice regarding the frequency of brushing your teeth — 2-3 times per day is considered just right
• Avoid using too much toothpaste — a pea-sized potion should be more than sufficient
• Brush slowly and gently, applying just the right amount of pressure

Over brushing is not something that should be taken lightly. The consequences can be long-term and will surely be a nuisance. Worse, they could even lead to more dental problems.

If you think that you are one of the people who over brush their teeth, you should immediately see your London dentist before you completely destroy your enamel and suffer from sensitive teeth and eroded enamel.

The Benefits of Having Gum Grafting Done in London

Sunday, March 8th, 2009

Over the course of your life, poor brushing habits and other issues may cause gum loss. While your dentist can help you avoid some of these problems, you may eventually need to have gum grafting in order to save your teeth. Today, you can visit a dentist in London and choose between several different grafting methods. That said, you may find that your options will be limited based on the natural characteristics of your existing gum tissue.

As you may be aware, grafting is process that involves taking tissue from one area, and encouraging it to grow somewhere else. In most cases, your dentist will want to take gum tissue from the roof of your mouth, and use it to cover any roots that may have become exposed. While this procedure is fairly safe, you will have two site that may cause some pain. Fortunately, your dentist has a number of pain medications that will facilitate the recovery process.

Unfortunately, if the gum tissue on the roof of your mouth is too narrow, your dentist may need to take gum tissue from other areas. In some cases, this area may be located right next to the the tooth with the exposed roots. While this method is not as reliable as making use of palate grafts, it is better than using skin tissue from other parts of your body.

For the most part, your dentist will recommend gum grafting as means to prevent root cavities, as well as other kinds of damage that occur when dental roots are not covered by the gums. This procedure can also help reduce the pain and sensitivity that occur when upper tooth surfaces are not properly protected. Even though gum grafting is not be the most appealing dental procedure, it is one of the most valuable ones for reducing pain and prolonging the good health of your teeth.

Tooth Sensitivity Treated in City of London

Saturday, February 14th, 2009

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by temperature changes in your mouth, acidic foods and beverages, sweets, and touching the exposed dentin of your tooth if there is any, allowing a connection between the outer part of your tooth and its pulp. When you visit your City of London dentists, they can help you to resolve this problem. Receding gums can result in tooth sensitivity, along with hard bristle brush overuse that can wear away tooth structure, especially if gritty toothpastes are used. Overuse of teeth whiteners can also result in tooth sensitivity, as well as acidic mouthwashes. Some routine dental procedures can also leave your tooth/teeth sensitive, but this usually doesn’t last too long. Your City of London dentists will tell you to use proper oral hygiene, a soft toothbrush, fluoride-based toothpastes and other products, and to consume a proper non-acidic diet. Your City of London dentist also has several procedures available to reduce your tooth sensitivity, or eliminate it altogether.

Tooth Pain? Visit Your London Dental Clinic

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

If you are experiencing tooth pain, you should immediately call and make an appointment to visit your London dentist. Your tooth pain can be rapidly alleviated by your London dentist, and may not be as bad as it appears. However, if you let it go for awhile, and the cause is not treated, it could lead to much more serious problems. So, don’t procrastinate! Tooth pain can occur from pulpal injury or surrounding gum and oral bone problems. If the tooth pain is caused by injury to the tooth pulp, it may be reversible at its early stages, if the tooth wasn’t severely damaged. Symptoms of tooth pulp injury or damage include; tooth sensitivity from touch, sweets, hot, and/or cold. Tooth pain caused by infection in the gum or oral bone can also be treated if you see your London dentist in time. If not properly treated, you can lose the tooth. Most tooth pain is acute, and if treated rapidly and properly, your tooth pain can be resolved rather quickly. Once your tooth pain is treated, you can continue to function normally. Dental decay in a tooth can cause tooth pain, and this can be treated rather quickly.

London Dentist Offers Help with Tooth Sensitivity

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

Your London Dental Clinic can help you with tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is caused by abrupt changes in intraoral temperatures, acidic foods and beverages, and sweets, touching your tooth in an area where there is communication between the outside of your tooth and pulp. Tooth sensitivity causes and treatment will be addressed went your visit your London dentist.

Here is an overview: Tooth sensitivity occurs when tooth’s dentinal structure is exposed because of receding gums, or if parts of this dentinal layer is exposed on the crown portion of the tooth and/or root of the tooth. If this occurs, exposed dentinal tubules are present and exchange stimuli with the pulpal tissues, especially the nerves, triggering pain. Some causal events leading to sensitivity of the teeth are: the use of bristle brushes that are hard and/or brushing too hard and too much, this may wear down tooth enamel over time; gingival recession and damage to the teeth themselves; carious teeth; excessive use of teeth whiteners, gritty toothpastes, plaque build-up, use of acid mouthwashes, foods and beverages. Normal dental procedures can also leave your teeth sensitive, but this will resolve itself shortly.

Ways to reduce tooth sensitivity include: good oral hygiene practices; using a softer brush; fluoride products; and, being mindful of foods and beverages that you consume Make sure to visit your London dentist regularly. Your London dentist can use several procedures including to reduce or eliminate your teeth sensitivity.

Your Tooth Sensitivity Can Be Treated in London

Thursday, September 11th, 2008

Tooth sensitivity is tooth pain that can be caused by the following sensations on your tooth or teeth, these are; excessive heat, cold, sweets or sour foods and drinks. Even breathing cold air or touching your tooth or teeth in the wrong area, may produce this sensitivity. The ache felt in the tooth may be sharp and abrupt, and penetrate deep into your tooth’s nerve endings. The causes of tooth sensitivity and its treatment can both be explained to you, and treated, in our  London Clinic.
The causes of tooth sensitivity happens when the tooth’s dentin layer is exposed due to receding gum tissues, or when the tooth is not properly covered all the way around by enamel on the crown portion of the tooth, and cementum on the root portion of the tooth. When this occurs, exposed minute dentinal tubules, which make up the dentin layer of the tooth, are exposed to the environment. These dentinal tubules communicate with the pulp of the tooth. The pulp contains nerves, a blood supply, and other tissues. When exposed, these dentinal tubules (or channels) allow the external stimulus to create a situation where the nerve cells endings are triggered, leading to pain.
There are many reasons why people have tooth sensitivity. These include, but are not limited to: using a hard bristle brush and being overzealous with your brushing, thus wearing down enamel over time; gum recession; gum disease; cracked, chipped, or decayed teeth; teeth grinding; overuse of whitening products, abrasive toothpastes, plaque accumulation (as end-products of bacteria are acidic), several over-the-counter mouthwashes that are acidic, and acidic drinks and foods. Also, individuals between the ages of 25-30 years olds are at increased risk of tooth sensitivity. Regular dental therapies may also leave your tooth or teeth sensitivity however this is usually a temporary situation.
There are several things that you can do to reduce or eliminate tooth sensitivity. These include but are not limited to: maintaining good oral hygiene; using a soft- bristled toothbrush; using fluoride-based toothpastes for sensitive teeth (e.g., smear it on your tooth with your finger and let it penetrate for a few minutes and then brush); pay attention to what you eat and drink; try to avoid grinding your teeth, use fluoridated dental products, and visit your dentist regularly. If you cannot manage tooth sensitivity by yourself using the above methods, speak with your dentist. Your dentist may recommend the placement of tooth bonding materials, fluoride based polishes or dentin sealers.