Time Explores Causes for Tooth Sensitivity

Sometimes teeth are just touchy. But certain sensitivities are signs of trouble.

You feel it when you sip a hot drink or bite into a cool dessert: an ache, an acute stab of pain. Even a sharp breath of cold air might trigger a twinge. “Any tooth sensitivity is trying to tell us something,” says Dr. Matt Messina, an Ohio-based dentist and spokesperson for the American Dental Association. “It may be easy to treat, but something is still causing it.”
For dentists, the most common (and least alarming) sensitivity is an all-over reaction to very cold stimuli, Messina says. Especially if that cold-induced pain is short-lived, you probably don’t have reason to worry. But if the pain is persistent and confined to a specific tooth or area of your mouth, that’s a problem. “That’s often the sign of a micro-crack, a degraded filling or a cavity,” Messina says.
Those conditions, all of which require a dentist’s attention, become more probable if the tooth or area is also sensitive to heat and biting pressure. “If you have reactions to all three—cold, hot, and biting pressure—we could also be talking about some sort of infection in the tooth,” Messina adds.
If you’re dealing with an all-over ache, your gums—not your teeth—may explain your pain. Exposing your gums to irritants or harsh treatment makes them recede. And when they do, they leave exposed the tender roots near the base of your teeth. “Your roots don’t have the same quality of protective enamel as your crowns, so they’re more sensitive,” says Dr. Eugene Ko of the University of Michigan’s department of oral pathology.

In this photo the receding gum makes
'V' shape, as compared to the typical
'U' shape.

Brushing too forcefully, chewing tobacco or allowing the buildup of plaque can all cause your gums to “run away” from your teeth, resulting in temperature sensitivity, Messina says. If you think gum recession might be the cause of your sensitivity, Ko says you may be able to look in a mirror and spot the issue. “The margin where your teeth and gums meet: there may be a change in color, almost like water elevation marks during a drought.”
Of course, there are many more reasons for temperature-sensitive teeth. Those include the excessive use of mouthwash or whitening products, dead or dying nerves, tooth grinding, recent dental work or serious gum issues like gingivitis or periodontal disease. Messina also says eating lots of acidic foods—things like soda, sports drinks, sour candy or citrus fruits and juices—can lead to a loss of tooth enamel that renders your teeth sensitive to temperature.

The blue lines represent microtubules
in your tooth. The sensitivity toothpaste
helps to block the opening of these tubules.

Apart from ditching those foods, Messina advises carefully reading and following instructions when using whiteners, mouth rinses, or other dental hygiene treatments. “More is not always better,” he warns.
When it comes to brushing, apply gentle pressure with a soft-bristle toothbrush. “You’re trying to massage you teeth all the way to the junction where they come together with your gums,” Messina says. “You should not be scrubbing like you would tub grout.” If changing your brushing technique
doesn’t do the trick, he says switching to a sensitive-teeth toothpaste can help. “These contain a chemical agent that fills tubules in teeth and blocks sensitivity,” he says.
No matter what, you should mention the temperature issue to your dentist during your next visit. “Big problems often start out as sensitivities,” Messina says. “The solutions are often simple, but only if we address the problem early.”

Article reposted from Time at http://time.com/3889122/sensitive-teeth/.

Do you Know What Causes Cavities?



What Age Should Kids Start Going to the Dentist?

If anyone could make flossing look like fun, it’s Beyoncé. Queen Bey recently posted an adorable GIF of herself and 3-year-old Blue Ivy in matching sunglasses wiggling identical flossing sticks in their mouths. The clip is a sweet reminder that the toddler years are the right time to start teaching good oral hygiene, and it’s up to parents to model the dental-care basics.

Here are the guidelines on when it’s time to introduce a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss to your child—plus the right age to schedule that first trip to the dentist’s chair.

Brushing: 

When your child is an infant, you should brush their teeth nightly. There are several types of soft bristled, and rubber bristled brushes designed for parents to use on their infants. At this stage there is no need for toothpaste, warm water will work just fine to remove and debris. By starting your child early they will be used to having something in their mouth, and (hopefully) be less resistant to brushing later on. 

As your child's teeth begin to erupt, switch to using a toddler sized tooth brush. It is also time for toothpaste! The best option is to use a grain of rice size fluoridated toothpaste. When your child is age 2-5 years old use a pea size amount of toothpaste. Even though they may insist that they can brush themselves, make sure to help them out anyways. 

Flossing:

As soon as your child has two teeth that touch you should begin helping them floss. This helps remove plaque that is beneath the gum, or that the toothbrush cannot reach. Most children will not develop the dexterity to floss on their own until they are around 10 or 11 years old. There are several types of flossing agents that may help until them. 

Going to the Dentist: 

Your child should have their first dental visit by the time their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday. This first visit helps establish a dental home for your child (read more about the importance of a dental home here). The dentist will also talk to you about proper preventative methods to help develop a strong dental foundation for your child and ensure that they are developing properly. 

The age of a child's first dental x-rays are varied based on their dental and medical history. Children typically need x-rays more frequently than adults because they are more prone to cavities and their teeth are constantly changing. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children with high instances of cavities have x-rays taken every 6 months, while those with low risk should have x-rays less frequently. It is important to understand that digital x-rays have significantly less radiation than film or non-digital x-rays. Today's equipment also uses several measures to filter out unnecessary x-rays, helping to reduce exposure. 

References:

http://digital.ipcprintservices.com/publication/?m=17256&l=1

http://digital.ipcprintservices.com/publication/?m=17242&l=1

http://www.ada.org/en/Home-MouthHealthy/az-topics/f/flossing

https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/what-age-should-kids-start-going-to-the-dentist-116647797362.html