~ Sensitive Teeth? ~

[Jeanway 0]

I'm having this problem right now

 

 

Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?

Tooth sensitivity is caused by the stimulation of cells within tiny tubes located in the dentin (the layer of tissue found beneath the hard enamel that contains the inner pulp). When the hard enamel is worn down or gums have receded-causing the tiny tube surfaces to be exposed-pain can be caused by eating or drinking food and beverages that are hot or cold; touching your teeth; or exposing them to cold air.

 

Hot and cold temperature changes cause your teeth to expand and contract. Over time, your teeth can develop microscopic cracks that allow these sensations to seep through to the nerves. Exposed areas of the tooth can cause pain and even affect or change your eating, drinking and breathing habits. Taking a spoonful of ice cream, for example, can be a painful experience for people with sensitive teeth.

 

Is tooth sensitivity a common condition?

Sensitive teeth is one of the most common complaints among dental patients. At least 45 million adults in the United States and 5 million Canadians, suffer at some time from sensitive teeth.

 

How can I avoid sensitivity?

Some toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients that may be too harsh for people who have sensitive teeth. Ingredients found in some whitening toothpastes that lighten and/or remove certain stains from enamel, and sodium pyrophosphate, the key ingredient in tartar-control toothpastes may increase tooth sensitivity.

 

What can I do about sensitive teeth?

Tooth sensitivity can be reduced by using a desensitizing toothpaste, applying sealants and other desensitizing ionization and filling materials including fluoride by your dentist, and decreasing the intake of acid-containing foods. Tartar control toothpastes will sometimes cause teeth to be sensitive as well as drinking diet soft drinks throughout the day.

 

Avoid using hard bristled toothbrushes and brushing your teeth too hard, which can wear down the tooth's root surface and expose sensitive spots. The way to find out if you're brushing your teeth too hard is to take a good look at your toothbrush. If the bristles are pointing in multiple directions, you're brushing too hard.

 

How do I know when it's time to see a dentist?

If a tooth is highly sensitive for more than three or four days, and reacts to hot and cold temperatures, it's best to get a diagnostic evaluation from your dentist to determine the extent of the problem. Before taking the situation into your own hands, an accurate diagnosis of tooth sensitivity is essential for effective treatment to eliminate pain. Because pain symptoms can be similar, some people might think that a tooth is sensitive, when instead, they actually have a cavity or abscess that's not yet visible.

 

How do I describe my symptoms to my dentist?

Sensitivity may be defined as a short sharp pain, which is usually initiated by hot or cold foods or exposure to cold air. Aching often follows. Because sensitivity may mean different things to a patient and dental professional, be sure to clarify exactly what you feel when you discuss the condition with your dentist. Be sure to tell the dentist when the pain started and if there is anything, such as the application of a warm compress, that helps eliminate the pain.

 

Do some products work to help decrease sensitivity?

Toothpastes for sensitive teeth usually contain a desensitizing agent that protects the exposed dentin by blocking the tubes in the teeth that are connected to nerves. In most cases, these products must be used on a regular basis for at least a month before any therapeutic benefits may be noticed.

 

What can the dentist do for my sensitive teeth?

Dentists have a variety of regimens to manage tooth hypersensitivity, including both in-office treatments and patient-applied products for home use. If you are diagnosed with dentin hypersensitivity, your dentist may apply a desensitizing agent or a protective coating. You may be prescribed a stannous fluoride gel or an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste containing fluoride and either potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. These ingredients help block transmission of sensation from the tooth to the nerve. It also might help to massage the special paste onto your gums with your finger after brushing.

 

What should I do after the dentist has applied a desensitizing agent?

Listen closely to your dentist's instructions. He or she may advise you not to eat or drink for a short period of time, to eliminate all sources of irritation, such as acidic foods or medication, highly concentrated foods or flavored toothpastes. You may also be instructed to change oral hygiene habits that are likely to cause abrasion or use a daily fluoride application (a rinse or brush-on gel.)

[DrWho42 13]

..Why is this in Ten Forward?

[RikerChick 5]

..Why is this in Ten Forward?

260931[/snapback]

 

Good question

 

[Jeanway 0]

OOPS Pain'll do that to a person.

[RikerChick 5]

Girl I'm in so much pain right now I'm typing one handed because the other is holding my mouth. My pain is due to a lost filling though.

[Airies 0]

I have sensiteve teeth. I find sensodine toothpaste works good. Jeanway are you a Dentist? Or did you look up all that info?

Me after dentist >

[Jeanway 0]

No, I'm not a dentist Airies I looked this stuff up, that's how you help yourself. I'm sitting here waiting for the pharmacy to open right now. I'm going to get some fluoride rinse. GOD, I hope I can get it without a script. I know I did this to myself with that whitening toothpaste. I've done it before. I also heard about a new toothpaste that has liquid calcium in it to rebuild tooth enamel a little. RC, go get some "DenTemp". You can stuff it in there until you can see your dentist. I've lost a filling before and I know what it's like.

[Jeanway 0]

Just so you know. Fluoride rinse or gel is sold by prescription only. Call the dentist. I kind of suspect that the calcium toothepaste won't do any good because you need to get calcium internally. Another So I just bought 2 cases of yogurt. Guess what I'll be snacking on for a while.

[RikerChick 5]

RC, go get some "DenTemp". You can stuff it in there until you can see your dentist. I've lost a filling before and I know what it's like. :huh:  :huh:

260949[/snapback]

 

That's what I put in last night and it hurt worse than ever but it's fine today. Now I can take a sip of a cold drink without the excruciating pain. I didn't even know they made stuff like that until a sister at the hall told me this week after she noticed I sat holding my mouth through most of the meeting.

[Jeanway 0]

Yea, good isn't it? :huh: There are two kinds, Dentemp and Dentrol??? The other one is better. You don't have to mix it. Yea, once that tooth starts going nuts on you it takes a while to calm down. I hate toothaches. :huh: I'd rather have a sharp stick in my eye :huh: Just kidding. No they're bad. Good luck with that.

[Eris_IV 0]

Thanks for the info, Jeanway...

I've had sensitive teeth for a while and someone told me about sensodyne...It didn't seem to work for me...I think I may lost some of my fillings or something...My teeth usually only hurt if I chew on gum for more than five minutes, or eat something sweet, or pull product in the freezer at my job...It may be normal but then again, I do remember complaining a lot after lunch at my work...hmm...

[Jeanway 0]

OK, I am suspecting that it's not my teeth right now. I think I have injured my jaw. Because on the left side of my head, right below my ear is hurting and when it hurts my teeth start hurting too. So I looked up TemporoMandibular Joint Injury on Yahoo, this is just one piece I found, there are alot more and look at this,I'll see if I can find a visual:

 

The temporomandibular joint dysfunction TMJ (jaw joint) personal injury

In an auto accident head contact of any kind is a potential source of a condition that may not manifest itself for weeks: Temporalmandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ). The TMJ is also sometimes referred as temporomandibular joint and may not manifest itself for some time following the trauma. Moreover, TMJ pain may disguise itself: for example some doctors fail to diagnose TMJ-induced headaches.

 

In the case of a car accident note all contacts you think your body made and tell the officer, EMT, ER, insurance adjuster, and your own doctor about these contacts between the vehicle and your body, even if you think nothing of it at the time.

 

A second example is one in which a specialist, a dentist, has not kept track of the research and reports in the past decade in respect to temporalmandibular joint TMJ causation. It is now commonly understood (although still argued by the insurance industry) that severe whiplash can cause a jaw joint injury. This can result in the movement of a disc within the jaw joint resulting in a number of symptoms. The symptoms can grow increasingly active over the years, progressing from a general ache to a headache to popping and snapping when chewing.

 

A claimant, who follows the directions provided by SettlementCentral.Com, will discuss this pain with his medical doctor. The medical doctor, believing that she may have sustained an injury intends to refer her to a dentist and she elects to go to her own dentist. Her own dentist is a general practitioner, whose knowledge of TMJ is limited. He believes that stress or a direct blow to the head can cause it. Therefore, he will emphasis in his interview stress source to her life. He will conclude that he is unable to determine the source of the problem but he will mention the stress and also mention the auto accident.

 

The problem with this incomplete analysis is that he has just undermined the claimant's TMJ insurance claim, and she will have extreme difficulty receiving any compensation for the pain and medical attention she will incur because of the personal injury to her jaw joint although it is a direct result of an auto accident

[Jeanway 0]

Here is some more information on 'TemporoMandibular' Joint Disease or Injury:

 

Signs and Symptoms

 

A variety of symptoms may be linked to TMD. Pain, particularly in the chewing muscles and/or jaw joint, is the most common symptom. Other likely symptoms include:

 

limited movement or locking of the jaw,

 

radiating pain in the face, neck or shoulders,

 

painful clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth.

 

a sudden, major change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.

 

Symptoms such as headaches, earaches, dizziness and hearing problems may sometimes be related to TMD. It is important to keep in mind, however, that occasional discomfort in the jaw joint or chewing muscles is quite common and is generally not a cause for concern. Researchers are working to clarify TMD symptoms, with the goal of developing easier and better methods of diagnosis and improved treatment.

 

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Diagnosis

Because the exact causes and symptoms of TMD are not clear, diagnosing these disorders can be confusing. At present, there is no widely accepted, standard test to correctly identify TMD. In about 90 percent of cases, however, the patient's description of symptoms, combined with a simple physical examination of the face and jaw, provides information useful for diagnosing these disorders.

 

The examination includes feeling the jaw joints and chewing muscles for pain or tenderness; listening for clicking, popping or grating sounds during jaw movement; and examining for limited motion or locking of the jaw while opening or closing the mouth. Checking the patient's dental and medical history is very important. In most cases, this evaluation provides enough information to locate the pain or jaw problem, to make a diagnosis, and to start treatment to relieve pain or jaw locking.

 

Regular dental X-rays and TMJ x-rays (transcranial radiographs) are not generally useful in diagnosing TMD. Other x-ray techniques, such as arthrography (joint x-rays using dye); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which pictures the soft tissues; and tomography (a special type of x-ray), are usually needed only when the practitioner strongly suspects a condition such as arthritis or when significant pain persists over time and symptoms do not improve with treatment. Before undergoing any expensive diagnostic test, it is always wise to get another independent opinion.

 

One of the most important areas of TMD research is developing clear guidelines for diagnosing these disorders. Once scientists agree on what these guidelines should be, it will be easier for practitioners to correctly identify temporomandibular disorders and to decide what treatment, if any, is needed.

 

 

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Treatment

The key words to keep in mind about TMD treatment are "conservative" and "reversible." Conservative treatments are as simple as possible and are used most often because most patients do not have severe, degenerative TMD. Conservative treatments do not invade the tissues of the face, jaw or joint. Reversible treatments do not cause permanent, or irreversible, changes in the structure or position of the jaw or teeth.

 

Because most TMD problems are temporary and do not get worse, simple treatment is all that is usually needed to relieve discomfort. Self-care practices, for example, eating soft foods, applying heat or ice packs, and avoiding extreme jaw movements (such as wide yawning, loud singing and gum chewing) are useful in easing TMD symptoms. Learning special techniques for relaxing and reducing stress may also help patients deal with pain that often comes with TMD problems.

 

Other conservative, reversible treatments include physical therapy you can do at home, which focuses on gentle muscle stretching and relaxing exercises, and short-term use of muscle-relaxing and anti-inflammatory drugs.

 

The health care provider may recommend an oral appliance, also called a splint or bite plate, which is a plastic guard that fits over the upper or lower teeth. The splint can help reduce clenching or grinding, which eases muscle tension. An oral splint should be used only for a short time and should not cause permanent changes in the bite. If a splint causes or increases pain, stop using it and see your practitioner.

 

The conservative, reversible treatments described are useful for temporary relief of pain and muscle spasm -- they are not "cures" for TMD. If symptoms continue over time or come back often, check with your doctor.

 

There are other types of TMD treatment, such as surgery or injections, that invade the tissues. Some involve injecting pain relieving medications into painful muscle sites, often called "trigger points." Researchers are studying this type of treatment to see if these injections are helpful over time.

 

Surgical treatments are often irreversible and should be avoided where possible. When such treatment is necessary, be sure to have the doctor explain to you, in words you can understand, the reason for the treatment, the risks involved, and other types of treatment that may be available.

 

Scientists have learned that certain irreversible treatments, such as surgical replacement of jaw joints with artificial implants, may cause severe pain and permanent jaw damage. Some of these devices may fail to function properly or may break apart in the jaw over time. Before undergoing any surgery on the jaw joint, it is very important to get other independent opinions.

 

The Food and Drug Administration has recalled artificial jaw joint implants made by Vitek, Inc., which may break down and damage surrounding bone. If you have these implants, see your oral surgeon or dentist. If there are problems with your implants, the devices may need to be removed. Persons who have Vitek implants should call Medic Alert at 1-800-554-5297 for more information.

 

Other irreversible treatments that are of little value -- and may make the problem worse -- include orthodontics to change the bite; restorative dentistry, which uses crown and bridge work to balance the bite; and occlusal adjustment, grinding down teeth to bring the bite into balance.

 

Although more studies are needed on the safety and effectiveness of most TMD treatments, scientists strongly recommend using the most conservative, reversible treatments possible before considering invasive treatments. Even when the TMD problem has become chronic, most patients still do not need aggressive types of treatment.

 

 

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If You Think You Have TMD...

Keep in mind that for most people, discomfort from TMD will eventually go away whether treated or not. Simple self-care practices are often effective in easing TMD symptoms. If more treatment is needed, it should be conservative and reversible. Avoid, if at all possible, treatments that cause permanent changes in the bite or jaw. If irreversible treatments are recommended, be sure to get a reliable second opinion.

 

Many practitioners, especially dentists, are familiar with the conservative treatment of TMD. Because TMD is usually painful, pain clinics in hospitals and universities are also a good source of advice and second opinions for these disorders. Specially trained facial pain experts can often be helpful in diagnosing and treating TMD

[Jeanway 0]

Just so you all know, I found the only mouth rinse I could with fluoride is 'ACT' for kids. Otherwise you need a prescription from your dentist. That helps rebuild the enamel that I so vigorously brushed away with the whitening toothpaste. Be careful out there with that stuff. I'm still using Sensodyne too. Things are improving each day. But my jaw does still hurt. :wacko: That's improving too.

[Airies 0]

:tooth: <Do this after every meal and before night night time and you wil be OK!

 

:wallbash: < Do this after you forgot to brush and need a cavity filled. :wacko:

[Jeanway 0]

Yes, I brush at least 5 times a day and Floss. I'm sort of a fanatic about it. :wacko: Nope, no cavities :wacko:

[Airies 0]

There was a song in "Grease" about this! "brusha brusha brusha" :wacko:

[Jeanway 0]

It's been 4 days now of religiously using 'Sensodyne' and the fluoride mouth rinse. Things are much improved. Just a "WARNING" Now to everyone. Go easy on the "WHITENING" toothpastes. I don't want to go through THAT again.

[cassidy 0]

:) OUCH! :)

[WEAREBORG4102 0]

No cavities, but sensitive teeth... :wacko:

[Angel of Darkness 0]

my teeth are sensitive to cold stuff liek icecream (only sometimes)