01 Mar

Does your favorite London dish make you wince?

Actually dentine hypersensitivity. Women of age group 20-40 are more prone to this condition, and pregnant women are at higher risk.  Tooth has three major layers from inner to out, which are pulp, dentine, and enamel. Enamel is the outer covering of the tooth, which is the toughest part of a tooth, which gives protection to the underlying dentine and pulp. Tooth is covered with enamel only up to the gumline. Therefore, when there is a condition, which exposes the dentine, there develops sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet things. The commonest condition that causes exposure of dentine is receding of gums. This can be due to improper brushing habits or due to some diseases affecting the teeth and gums such as gingivitis, periodontitis, formation of plaques, tartar, etc.  Sometimes the sensitivity could be an after effect of scaling, whitening of teeth, or certain dental procedures that require trimming of your enamel. However, this will pass off within 2 or 3 weeks. Some food items such as highly sugary foods, acidic fizzy drinks, eating citrus fruits, long-term use of mouthwashes, teeth grinding, etc. can cause or aggravate an existing condition. For self-help, we can select soft-bristled toothbrushes that are easily available in London supermarkets, which are suitable for sensitive teeth and soft on gums. One important thing we have to remember is to avoid brushing too hard, and the movement of the brush should be gentle and circular. Even after you have made all these changes and there is no relief for the tooth sensitivity, you must visit your dentist for proper dental care without any further delay. Your dentist may be able to suggest the best practice to help your teeth. He may suggest desensitising toothpaste for your sensitive teeth. Desensitising toothpastes contain strontium chloride and/ potassium nitrate, which help to remineralise the tooth surface and help close the open pores on the dentine surface. These open pores when exposed to too much hot, cold, or sweet substances cause nerve sensitivity. Your dentist may also apply a desensitising fluoride gel, or varnish to the exposed surface, which help to reduce this sensitivity. The most common method dentists adopt is chemical desensitisation using products such as Gluma, Hurriseal, etc. and some dentine sealers are also helpful to reduce dentine hypersensitivity. The best thing we can do to prevent a sensitive tooth is by maintaining good oral hygiene with proper brushing, flossing, and getting professional dental care at regular intervals.This is a very common condition affecting many a million in London. That is tooth sensitivity. The discomfort can range from mild twinge to severe discomfort lasting for hours. What we generally term sensitive tooth is