Tooth sensitivity to cold and/or sweets may be a sign of a cavity, but it may
also be caused by root sensitivity. Teeth are made up of a very hard substance
called enamel, which protects the nerve inside the tooth from the stimuli your
teeth experience, such as hot, cold, sweets, and chewing.
The surface of the
root of the tooth is covered by a material called cementum that is not as strong
as enamel, but is protected by the overlying gum tissue.
Tooth sensitivity
basically occurs when something happens to cause the gum tissue to recede,
leaving the sensitive cementum exposed.
Causes
One of the most common factors of gum recession is due to the toothbrush. The
process is caused by brushing too hard or by using a hard bristled toothbrush,
thereby causing the gums to recede. The use of a soft toothbrush with proper
technique can help prevent this recession.
Chemical erosion is another cause of root sensitivity. This can occur in
people who drink an excessive amount of carbonated beverages or suck on highly
acidic foods, such as lemons or limes. The acids in these products can actually
eat away the protective enamel coating of the teeth right along the gum line,
leading to sensitivity.
This same type of
tooth sensitivity may also occur after any dental treatment that
affects the position of the gum tissue on the tooth. Some examples would be gum
surgeries that expose more tooth structure or the extraction of teeth, which may
cause shrinkage of the gum tissue in the area adjacent to other teeth.
Treatment of Root Sensitivity
The most critical aspect in treating root sensitivity is accurately
diagnosing and treating the cause with your
dentist. If the cause is not known and corrected, the
problem will continue to recur in spite of treatment. Treatment is aimed at
coating or sealing the surface of the exposed root to prevent the stimulus
(cold, sweets) from transmitting to the nerve of the tooth, causing sensitivity.
There are toothpastes available at most stores that are specifically designed
for sensitive teeth. These products decrease the sensitivity over time, although
you may find if you stop using them, the sensitivity returns. This may be
because the underlying cause has not been treated.
Another option is to have a
highly concentrated fluoride gel applied to the sensitive areas at your dentist's
office. Your dentist can also seal the area with a thin coating of resin. This
is not like a filling, but more like a thin coat of a clear liquid that helps to
seal your tooth when it is placed and cured.
Placing restorations (fillings) in the exposed areas will also seal them, but
unless the cause of the
tooth sensitivity is identified and corrected, the gum may
continue to recede past where the filling was placed, causing a new area of root
to be exposed below the level of the filling. If the recession is more extreme,
a gum graft may be placed, where gum tissue is taken from another part of your
mouth and grafted over the exposed area.
