The Tooth That Stings
March 2010, The Sunday Times, Life
It is time for the toast but you hold your glass of wine and hesitate to drink it up because it hurts. You have sensitive teeth and they sting. But you can lick the problem of sensitive teeth or dentine hypersensitivity if it is properly treated.
“The best thing is to see a dentist first to exclude other pathologies,” says Dr Tan Wah Ching, associate consultant from the Periodontics Unit at the National Dental Centre of Singapore. The dentist will investigate the cause of the dentine hypersensitivity and prescribe the right remedial action.
Dr Tan says that there is dentine hypersensitivity when the inner layer of the tooth – the dentine – is exposed. The flow of fluid in the dentinal tubules can trigger sensations in the tooth. A sudden change in the acidic concentration (pH level) or temperature of the fluid from the outside to the inside can stimulate the nerve in the pulp, which lies in the centre of the tooth. So, taking cold food and drinks, or even breathing in cold air can trigger symptoms.
Dentine can be exposed when the enamel, the protective layer of the tooth, is eroded or when the gums recede. The chemical factors that cause the loss of enamel include eating acidic food and drinking wine. This is acid erosion. It means that wine tasters face a higher risk of tooth erosion than others.
When the acid from the wine dissolves the calcium and the phosphate in the enamel, it leaves the dentine exposed and this leads to dentine hypersensitivity. Dentine can also be exposed when you brush your teeth too hard, grind your teeth when you sleep, or when you’ve got a chipper tooth. Gum recession, which can be cause by periodontal diseases, is also a culprit in exposing the dentine.
Dr Tan says that dentine hypersensitivity is a common problem. She adds that most of those with dentine hypersensitivity are adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Females are also more prone to it.
For most sufferers of sensitive teeth, using a toothpaste that is suitable for sensitive teeth is a common remedy. Such a toothpaste works by blocking the passage to the nerves and pulp. Dr Tan advises that people with the problem should consult their dentists to ensure that the pain is indeed caused by dentine hypersensitivity.
The dentist can suggest a wider range of treatment options, such as applying a more permanent sealant on the tooth, or using laser or gum surgery. So, if you have sensitive teeth, you can fix it. Drink it up. Cheers!
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