Although it is a common and general dental problem, experience shows that the majority of people still do not seek dental assistance for a sensitive tooth.

 

According to statistics, nearly half of Hungary's adult population suffers from at least one sensitive tooth. Its appearance is particularly dangerous because a variety of conditions can underlie it, including more serious dental diseases.

 

Therefore, if we feel a sharp pain originating from our teeth due to external stimuli, which is slow to subside and frequently returns, it is essential to seek professional medical help.

 

At NaturaDent, for example, we can not only help you uncover the root causes, but also provide modern laser treatments From our goodwill, we can also permanently rid you of the unpleasant symptoms of sensitive teeth.

 

What causes this unpleasant dental complaint? What are its symptoms and treatment options? In our latest professional article, we sought answers to these questions!

How does sensitive teeth develop?

 

Since a tooth is externally and seemingly just a piece of bone in the jaw, many people cannot imagine what could be causing it to hurt. To understand the background of a sensitive tooth, we must first learn about its structure and composition.

 

Fundamentally, a tooth can be said to consist of hard enamel on the outside. Beneath this, we find a layer of dentine permeated with fine tubules, and innermost is a soft pulp, interlaced with blood vessels and nerves.

 

Enamel ensures that the dentine layer does not come into contact with the oral cavity or the effects present there at all. However, there are cases where this layer is damaged, disappears, or becomes deformed, and here we can find the biggest problem with sensitive teeth.

 

This is because, through the network of tubules that permeate the dentine, external stimuli will be able to reach the nerves located in the dental pulp, which provokes a characteristic pain from the tooth.

 

A fogérzékenységnek többféle tünete lehet, de a leggyakoribb a fogakban jelentkező éles vagy szúró fájdalom, amikor a fogat valamilyen inger éri. Ezek a következők lehetnek: * **Hideg vagy meleg ételek és italok:** A forró kávé, a hideg fagylalt, vagy akár a jeges víz is fájdalmat okozhat. * **Édes vagy savanyú ételek és italok:** A cukros üdítők, a gyümölcslevek, vagy más édes/savanyú ételek is kiválthatják a fájdalmat. * **Hideg levegő:** Néha már a hideg levegő belélegzése is érezhetővé válhat. * **Fogmosás:** A fogkefe érintése, különösen a fogíny közelében, kellemetlenséget okozhat. * **Nyomás:** Rágás vagy nyomás a fogon szintén kiválthat fájdalmat. A fájdalom lehet enyhe vagy súlyos, és eltarthat néhány másodperctől néhány percig is. Nem mindenkinél jelentkeznek ezek a tünetek, és a fájdalom intenzitása is változó lehet.

 

It is important to know that tooth sensitivity can in itself be considered a symptom, which is caused by some kind of dental disease or condition, in light of the above.

 

The most common complaint is a very sudden, stabbing pain, which in all cases occurs as a result of some external stimulus, such as cold, hot, sweet, or sour tastes, but even strong winds, cold winter air, or brushing your teeth can be the cause.

 

What should be emphasized about sensitive tooth pain is that it is typically very sharp, like a lightning strike, which usually lasts only a second or two, occurs very quickly, and subsides just as quickly. In short, it cannot be confused with classic toothache.

 

Few people realise, but the problem doesn't just affect one tooth; it can impact several – very rarely, an entire set of teeth – and the complaints can be temporary, but a chronic underlying issue is also common.

 

Causes of sensitive teeth

 

What reasons can lead to the development of tooth sensitivity? Below we have gathered the factors that most commonly trigger this complaint.

 

Poor oral hygiene

 

It has often been said in many places that inadequate oral hygiene is at the root of all dental problems and diseases. Incorrect brushing techniques promote tooth decay, which can cause permanent damage to tooth enamel.

 

When leftover food on teeth is broken down, acids are produced, which thin the hard layer coating the tooth, thereby eliminating the protection of the dentine and pulp from external influences.

 

Fortunately, poor oral hygiene is one of those preventable causes, and the dental hygienists at NaturaDent can provide comprehensive support to keep your teeth healthy.

 

Incorrect tooth brushing technique

 

In addition to inadequate oral hygiene, improper brushing technique can have just as bad an effect on teeth. For example, it's enough to buy a toothbrush with bristles that are too hard, or to scrub the surface of the teeth too vigorously, which is most noticeable at the necks of the teeth, and this is where sensitivity first develops.

 

This is because the hard tooth enamel can be damaged, the surface can simply wear away, but at the same time, gum recession can also occur, all of which can be considered causes of sensitive teeth.

 

Gumí süllyedés

 

Gumí süllyedés, más néven ínyvisszahúzódás, a legtöbb esetben a fent említett tényezők, például a nem megfelelő fogmosási technika vagy a fogszuvasodás okozza, amelyek az érzékeny fogak előszobáját jelentik.

 

It's very important to pay attention to it, because receding gums can be followed by very serious dental conditions. From here, it's typically just a step away from chronic gum inflammation, which can even lead to tooth loss without treatment and attention.

 

Genetic background

 

Although it's fundamentally a rare case, genetic problems can also be among the causes of tooth sensitivity. This is because some people may have significantly thinner, weaker tooth enamel than average, making the dentine more sensitive.

 

Enamel can wear away much more quickly in such patients, with poor brushing technique alone being sufficient. It is common that in cases with a genetic background, not one or two teeth, but the entire set of teeth is affected by the unpleasant symptoms.

 

Poor diet

 

It is also very common for sensitive teeth to be caused by an improper diet. Modern society consumes a particularly large amount of acidic and sugary foods and drinks, which have an extremely damaging effect on tooth enamel.

 

This is so-called tooth erosion, which is mainly caused by carbonated soft drinks, foods with very high sugar content, and vegetables and fruits with high acidity, such as oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits.

 

Teeth grinding

 

Bruxism, also known as Bruxism is also a reason that can result in sensitive teeth. According to science, the phenomenon is caused by stress accumulated during the day, which those affected relieve by clenching and grinding their teeth at night.

 

The teeth are permanently overloaded with this, and wedge or shell-shaped wear patterns at the gum line are common, leading to the complete disappearance of the outer enamel and making the affected teeth extremely sensitive.

 

Hormonal changes

 

Hormonal changes can also be the cause of sensitive teeth in many cases. It is no coincidence, for example, that greater attention must be paid to the condition of the teeth during pregnancy, as the hormonal balance is disrupted at this time, which increases the chance of tooth decay.

 

However, other hormonal disorders can also trigger this process, so it's not just during pregnancy that you need to pay attention to it. For example, diabetes can also significantly damage the health of teeth.

 

Dental procedures

 

It is entirely common to experience tooth sensitivity after certain dental procedures. For example, it is a completely normal phenomenon after conventional LED teeth whitening, but this usually subsides on its own within a few days and then disappears. The beneficial effect of laser teeth whitening is that it can even completely eliminate this tooth sensitivity, as the laser light causes the exposed dentinal tubules at the neck of the tooth to close.

 

If, however, sensitivity is experienced after a filling and it has not occurred previously, a repeat dental intervention may be necessary.

 

How to manage sensitive teeth?

 

Since sensitive teeth, in most cases, always indicate an underlying dental problem, it is very important to see a dentist as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis.

 

In light of this, specialists decide whether a dental hygiene treatment may be sufficient or if more is required.

 

Laser treatment for sensitive teeth

 

If unpleasant symptoms are caused by thinning, loss or damage to tooth enamel, it is no longer necessary to learn to live with the problem, or to ruin a cavity-free tooth with fillings or root canal treatments.

 

NaturaDent, for example, is a proponent of the most modern methods in this field. Therefore, here with us you can have sensitive teeth treated with special laser technology, quickly, safely and practically painlessly.

 

Using our special dental laser equipment, we can seal the dentinal tubules exposed by enamel damage, which effectively and permanently eliminates sensitive tooth pain.

 

Toothpaste is only a temporary aid and symptomatic treatment

 

If someone has sensitive teeth, they most often don't go to the dentist, but rather change their toothpaste. It's true that there are very good toothpastes available nowadays that help to eliminate pain, however, it's important to know: these are only a temporary solution.

 

They are like symptomatic treatment but do not actually solve the problem, unlike, for example, laser treatment. Toothpastes for sensitive teeth are recommended for use until you see a dentist, or for preventative purposes.

 

These types of preparations contain ingredients that help strengthen tooth enamel and inhibit bacterial colonisation, thereby preventing tooth decay.

 

Other methods

 

Naturally, there are other methods for treating sensitive teeth as well. In milder cases, for example, dentine sealing varnishes can be a good alternative, as they help to seal the exposed dentine surface.

 

In more severe cases, such as a larger enamel defect, the affected parts can be filled with a filling material to isolate them from external stimuli that cause pain.

 

Hogyan előzhető meg az érzékeny fog kialakulása?

 

There are several methods that offer the possibility of preventing the development of sensitive teeth. These include:

 

Regular teeth brushing

 

It is recommended to brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day, and at least after main meals. In addition to regularity, pay attention to the correct technique and the use of a toothbrush with the correct bristle hardness.

 

Suitable toothpaste and toothbrush

 

For brushing your teeth, use a soft or medium-bristled toothbrush with a large number of bristles, which won't damage your tooth enamel even with vigorous scrubbing. Choosing the right toothpaste, which helps prevent tooth decay, is at least as important.

 

Let's pay attention to our diet.

 

Where possible, let's ensure we consume as little acidic food and drink as possible, which can damage tooth enamel. Examples include coffee, alcohol, most carbonated drinks, oranges, and most foods with high sugar content.

 

Let's go to the dentist, dental hygienist regularly

 

Regular dental check-ups are essential for preventing sensitive teeth. A specialist can alert you to developing problems in good time and carry out preventive treatments as needed. A dental hygienist can help maintain proper oral hygiene with regular tartar removal. Do your part for your health, because you deserve it.