Health Article

Teeth Sensitivity

Does this sound familiar? You’d really like an ice cream cone, especially on a hot day. But you avoid cold foods – or hot foods, or sweets – because of tooth pain.

Sensitive teeth can cause pain and discomfort, and can affect your quality of life. But you don’t have to suffer. Researchers have learned a great deal about tooth anatomy; today’s dentist knows how to take the “bite” out of sensitive tooth pain.

To understand tooth sensitivity, it helps to know what’s going on inside a tooth. Teeth contain porous tissue called dentin that is protected by your gums and by tooth enamel. Microscopic holes in the dentin, called tubules, connect to the nerve, triggering pain when irritated by certain foods and beverages.

Dentin can be exposed by a number of factors, including:

• Erosion
• Recession of the gums
• Clenching or grinding
• Chipped or broken teeth

If you have sensitive teeth, your dentist can recommend the following:

• Using a softer toothbrush
• Rinsing with a special mouthwash designed for sensitive teeth
• Brushing with toothpaste or gel that is designed to reduce sensitivity
• Applying a desensitizing treatment to the tooth

Potassium nitrate is the main ingredient identified to desensitize teeth. Desensitizing toothpaste and some whitening products, such as Venus® White, contain this ingredient to protect against tooth sensitivity. The potassium nitrate is able to interrupt the signals between the nerve cells in the tooth, helping to prevent nerve excitement and pain.

Other products, such as Gluma® Desensitizer, are only available from your Venus Dentist. Talk with your dentist about which sensitivity treatment is right for you.

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