January 29, 2007
Sensitive Teeth-what can be done to relieve it
Following up on what I wrote about the causes of sensitive teeth,there need to be an awareness that individuals with sensitive teeth actually can do something about their condition.
A very comprehensive asessment is necessary to determine the actual cause of the sensitivity.A normal routine history taking would include the chronology,nature,location,aggravating and alleviating factors that influence the sensitivity.The teeth and the soft tissue surrounding should be examined.Our diet should be discussed,because fruit juices and fizzy beverages not only have high sugar content,but also contain a considerable amount of titratable acid,which can be errosive in nature.
Once your dentist has determined the cause of your teeth sensitivity,and the diagnosis arrived is dentin hypersensitivity(ie,it is not due to decay,broken fillings,cracked tooth etc etc),then there are some self care products that can be used at home.
One of the commonest things that is presribed is a professionally endorsed desensitizing tooth paste containing active agents like potassium salts,strontium salts and various flouride compounds.
Typical examples of such toothpaste would be SensodyneF,which contains 5%potassium nitrate and 0.32% sodium fluoride.(potassiums salts work by interfering with the transmission of the stimuli to the nerve ends and the fluoride acts as a barrier to the dentinal tubules)
Another toothpaste that can be used is Colgate Sensitive which contains 5.53% Potassium Citrate and 1500 ppm fluoride.
Other products that can be used are tooth-coating creme containing Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate(CPP-ACP).One such product is the Tooth Mousse,which can be purchased from your dentist.
This is a calcium compound that works by occluding the dentinal tubiules with its calcuim and phosphate salts.It also contains a safe pH where tooth errosion does not occur.The casein in the product acts by binding the calcium and phosphate to the enamel layer and the gums.Excellent product,highly recommended.
Other considerations would include changing wrong tooth brushing techniques to prevent tooth abrasion,better brushing and flossing to reduce plaque,change of diet to reduce intake of food and drinks high in sugar and acid.