If cold winter weather causes you tooth pain, talk to your Little Rock dentist about in-office treatments that can help stop your sensitivity.
Breathing in winter’s cold air can easily cause your teeth to ache if they are sensitive to temperature changes. You might have sensitive teeth due to dental problems, such as cracks in one or more teeth, receding gums, tooth decay, or worn tooth enamel. Your teeth might also be sensitive if you have had previous dental work that has deteriorated or shifted over time, such as fillings or bridges. These dental issues can leave gaps that allow cold air to hit the nerves in your teeth roots. While breathing through your nose rather than your mouth is one way to lower your risk of tooth pain, there are more long-lasting ways to prevent painful teeth sensitivity if you just ask your Little Rock dentist.
Desensitizing Treatments
Your dentist might first recommend brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste that contains potassium nitrate and strontium chloride. These ingredients are able to block sensations from reaching your teeth’s pain receptors, which prevents tooth pain. You typically need to brush for several weeks before this type of toothpaste begins to work.
If using a desensitizing toothpaste does not ease your sensitive teeth pain, your dentist might recommend in-office treatments. These desensitizing treatments involve having certain compounds applied to your teeth that decrease sensitivity. Your dentist might apply a concentration of potassium nitrate to stop sensations from traveling to the nerves in your teeth. Another option your dentist might recommend is the use of a desensitizer that seals up the pores in your teeth that can allow cold air to reach the nerves.
Fluoride Treatments
When tooth enamel erodes, it makes the inner parts of your teeth more vulnerable. This makes it possible for cold air to hit the nerves and cells in your teeth, which causes them to ache. Getting fluoride treatments when you have sensitive teeth can help strengthen your tooth enamel, giving your teeth protection from cold air, substances, and foods. In-office fluoride treatments at your Little Rock dentist’s office involve having topical fluoride gel applied to your teeth. Keep in mind that these treatments have the added benefit of lowering your risk of tooth decay, which can also lead to tooth pain.
Your dentist might also recommend using dental products that contain fluoride at home, such as toothpaste and mouthwash, in order to maintain strong enamel. Undergoing regular fluoride treatments at your dental checkups and using fluoride products at home can provide you with long-term relief from tooth pain and decrease tooth sensitivity.
If you continue to experience tooth pain, your dentist might discuss other types of treatments for sensitive teeth, especially if you have serious tooth decay or damage. These might include root canals to repair root damage, gum grafts for receding gums, or crowns and dental implants to restore damaged teeth or correct misaligned teeth.
If you have sensitive teeth pain, contact Arkansas Family Dental in Little Rock at 501.663.8886 to set up an appointment. We can get to the root of your tooth pain and provide effective treatments for it.
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