SENSITIVE TEETH

Often tooth sensitivity is noticed when there is pain or discomfort when eating or drinking anything as hot as a cup of tea or as cold as an icy drink. You may have started questioning it because your morning coffee is no longer enjoyable, or you’re scared to go near that late night ice cream. It’s a pain that comes suddenly and can sometimes not only affect just one tooth, but several. It’s important to note that sensitive teeth can be an underlying symptom of a bigger problem, so we highly encourage making an appointment before anything gets worse. Remember that sensitivity in the teeth is extremely common, so you’re not alone. Get treated with comfort and care. Book an appointment today.

While worn enamel is a common reason for teeth to become sensitive over time, there are certainly other reasons as to why it could be occurring. If you’re experiencing severe sensitivity, call the clinic directly on (03) 9007 2672 and our team will be able to guide you in the right direction.

Some other causes of tooth sensitivity include:

Tooth decay
Tooth decay (cavities) can sometimes go unnoticed early on due to a lack of pain. However, as the cavities grow, they begin to irritate the nerves, causing aching and sharp pains to hot, cold, or sweet.

Gum recession
When gums start receding or shrinking, they expose the root surface of the tooth. This leaves the tooth without its natural protective barrier. The root surface is a yellowy colour and is part of the inner sensitive core of the tooth.

Get treated with comfort and care. Book an appointment today.

Yes it can. But it can also come back. Generally, if we’re experiencing a sensitive feeling in our teeth there is an underlying disease process occurring. If left unchecked, the issue is likely to deteriorate further making treatment more complicated and/or costly. So, while tooth sensitivity does tend to ‘come and go’, the underlying causes such as tooth wear, gum recession, or tooth decay only go in one direction (getting worse). For this reason it’s generally best to get your tooth sensitivity assessed by a professional at Studio Smiles, particularly if it’s been present for longer than a day.

We know that sensitivity isn’t comfortable. It’s a pain that comes and goes depending on what you’re consuming and can begin to affect your everyday life. While the only way to completely get rid of the pain is by seeing a dentist and having the cause addressed, here are some ways you can soothe your sensitive teeth in the lead up to your appointment.

Desensitising toothpaste
Desensitising toothpaste contains potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride. These are two active agents that help manage tooth sensitivity. They work by temporarily blocking any exposed ‘pores’ inside the sensitive teeth.

Dietary Changes
Avoiding foods which are particularly cold, hot, or sweet will prevent sensitivity. Of course, everyone should be able to enjoy a nice hot cuppa or a refreshing cold glass of water, but as a temporary measure before your appointment this can be helpful.

Here at Studio Smiles, we offer a range of different tooth sensitivity treatments to cater to everyone.

Topical desensitisation
If your sensitivity is caused by gum recession, a desensitising agent can be applied to the exposed surface to help remineralise the exposed tooth surface and create a sealing barrier.

Gum graft
If a sensitive gum recession has progressed more than 1-2mm, then a gum graft may be considered. This is a painless surgery whereby the missing gum tissue is replaced with a graft covering the sensitive exposed root surface. The end result is healthy gum tissue protecting the natural teeth.

Tooth coloured fillings
If your pain is caused by a cavity, a filling may be required. This involves cleaning the cavity itself and restoring the shape of the tooth with a tooth coloured filling material.

Porcelain crown
If the structure of your tooth has been severely compromised, a cap/crown may be needed to rebuild it. Outdated caps/crowns often appear dark and black around the gum line whereas modern crowns are made from a beautiful ceramic which blends in seamlessly.

At Studio Smiles, we take pride in our transparent approach to treatment. We endeavour to make the entire process clear for you so that you understand exactly what is happening, what can be done, the likely outcomes, and all relevant costs. We believe in a thorough approach, so our patients stress less and feel better faster. Get treated with comfort and care. Book your appointment today.

Here at Studio Smiles, we take pride in our emphasis on pain-free dentistry. We understand that going to the dentist can be daunting and that there are certain procedures you may find uncomfortable, so we use the latest techniques and technology to make you feel as comfortable as we possibly can. We also offer oral and IV sedation to take the edge off where needed, which means you can wake up to the smile of your dreams without remembering a thing! Book an appointment today.

Costs will vary depending on the individual and the treatment necessary. We believe in a transparent approach, so we make it a rule to provide all relevant treatment options and costs, including the advantages and disadvantages where relevant. This is an important part of our informed consent process. We actively work with our patients to help them find a way to have dentistry fit in with their budget and life. Patients may choose to opt for one of our interest-free payment plans to have their broken tooth sorted out immediately, while having the flexibility to pay at a later date on their own terms. Payment plans can help alleviate the financial barriers to a healthy mouth. We want to make sure you feel untroubled and completely comfortable with the next steps throughout your entire journey. Book an appointment today.