Patients of all ages may feel the shock of discomfort that comes with tooth sensitivity. If you have felt a jolt of pain in your tooth when eating a cold or sugary food item, you may be familiar with this sensation.
Tooth pain of any kind is abnormal, and even if you consider tooth sensitivity to be tolerable, you should still contact your dentist if you notice this symptom. Dr. Michael Mulkey, a dentist located in Marietta, GA, responds to frequently asked questions regarding the dental condition, tooth sensitivity.
The enamel of your tooth, its surface, covers an underlying layer called dentin. This part of the tooth contains nerves that send pain signals to your brain when stimulated.
Usually, enamel prevents the exposure of dentin, but if enamel erodes, thins, or weakens, dentin could be at risk of stimulation from external stimuli. The resulting jolt of pain from a stimulus is what dental professionals refer to as tooth sensitivity.
Tooth enamel can erode for a variety of reasons, and dentists will tailor their treatment of sensitivity pain depending on the causation of the symptom. Minor cases of tooth sensitivity can be alleviated with desensitizing toothpaste. This specialized toothpaste can block nerves that generate pain signals, relieving discomfort for the patient.
Tooth decay can be a major cause of tooth sensitivity symptoms. Dentists can treat cavities with dental fillings, which will get rid of the pain for the patient too.
More advanced cases of tooth decay might require a dental crown. The ceramic cap will cover an affected tooth, replacing weakened tooth enamel and protecting underlying dentin from potential external threats. Your dentist will evaluate the cause of your sensitivity pain when you schedule an emergency appointment.
Tooth enamel cannot regrow on its own, so dental intervention is necessary in order to alleviate tooth sensitivity pain due to exposed dentin. Replacing the enamel with a dental filling or crown will shield the tooth and stop sensitivity pain.
However, if your dental work wears down, becomes loose, or breaks, the dentin becomes exposed once again, and you may experience sensitivity pain if it becomes stimulated. If this occurs, you should reach out to your dental professional as soon as possible to have the dental work replaced or repaired. Pain, even if it is intermittent, should be considered a dental emergency deserving of prompt evaluation from your dentist.
Learn More from Your Dentist in Marietta, GA
Lost Mountain Dental treats tooth pain and other dental conditions in patients in Marietta, GA. Dr. Mulkey specializes in implant, restorative, general, and cosmetic dentistry, including professional teeth whitening services, for patients of all ages. If you feel nervous about upcoming dental work, ask your dentist about sedation dentistry options. To schedule an appointment with our practice, contact our office by phone at 678.212.1280 or reach our staff online.
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