Sensitive teeth can cause significant discomfort, especially if the sensitivity is extreme. While some people may only have mild tooth sensitivity, others have severe sensitivity where eating anything hot, cold, sweet, or spicy may cause them pain.

When you have severe tooth sensitivity, it’s important to know that you don’t have to live with the discomfort. So how can you find relief from tooth pain when eating hot or cold foods?

Here are a few ways you may be able to improve sensitivity and reduce your discomfort.

Use a Desensitizing Toothpaste

Using desensitizing toothpaste can improve both mild and severe cases of tooth sensitivity. Sensitive teeth are typically the result of tooth enamel damage, where tooth enamel has worn away and exposes dentin, the layer underneath tooth enamel, to the temperatures of the foods and drinks we consume.

Dentin contains tubules, which are small channels that allow the dentin and the inner tissue of your teeth to communicate [1]. Desensitizing toothpaste works because it contains compounds that help block these dentin tubules, which can prevent our teeth from being affected by the temperature of our favorite foods and beverages.

Use a desensitizing toothpaste every time you brush your teeth, and expect it to take a few days to have an effect.

Ask Your Dentist About Fluoride Treatments

Your desensitizing toothpaste should contain fluoride, a mineral that can help protect the tooth enamel from cavities and potentially help with tooth sensitivity. However, people with severe tooth sensitivity may benefit from additional fluoride applications with their dentist.

An in-office fluoride treatment is when your dentist applies a gel or solution of fluoride onto your teeth. This can provide instant relief from severe tooth sensitivity [2]. People who benefit from this treatment may need to have it done a few times a year to prevent painful tooth sensitivity from returning.

Fix the Underlying Cause

Some people simply have tooth enamel that has been worn away that causes sensitive teeth. Missing tooth enamel can’t be replaced, but keep in mind that there are other potential causes of extremely sensitive teeth that can be fixed [3].

For example, if you have tooth decay or gum recession that has caused severe tooth sensitivity, you can improve or completely alleviate the sensitivity with treatment. In some cases, a broken or cracked tooth can result in sensitivity, as can a tooth infection.

It’s always a good idea to follow up with your dentist about the cause of your severe tooth sensitivity so you can implement an effective treatment plan. In cases where an underlying issue is not remedied, tooth sensitivity is unlikely to go away even with desensitizing toothpaste and fluoride treatments.

Do You Have Severe Tooth Sensitivity?

If you have severe tooth sensitivity, ask your dentist how you can start experiencing relief. For some, tooth sensitivity will only be manageable, while for others, it may be able to be resolved.

Find out by booking an exam and consultation with your dentist today!

Sources:
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12360689/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3586140/
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/sensitive-teeth/