A sip of cold water. A bite of ice cream. A breath of cool air. And a sharp, brief but intense pain starting from one or more teeth. Tooth sensitivity is one of the most frequently reported problems in dental practices: it is estimated that one in three adults suffers from it at some point in their life.
Sometimes it is temporary. Sometimes it is a sign of something that deserves attention. This guide helps you distinguish between the two.
Dental sensitivity occurs when the dentine, the inner layer of the tooth that contains micro-tubules linking the surface to the pulp nerves, becomes exposed. Normally, it is protected by enamel on the surface and by the gum at the root.
Several mechanisms can lead to this exposure: gingival recession, enamel erosion from dietary acids or bruxism, an early cavity, a tooth fracture, or the aftermath of recent dental treatment such as whitening, scaling, or root canal.
Sensitivity that appears after teeth whitening and disappears in two to five days is normal and harmless. Similarly, slight sensitivity in the days following scaling or a new crown generally resolves on its own.
Persistent sensitivity lasting several weeks, progressively worsening, or turning into spontaneous pain without a stimulus: consult. This may signal a deep cavity reaching the pulp, a tooth fracture, or a pulp pathology requiring endodontic treatment.
Pain that lasts more than a few seconds after the cold stimulus is also a warning sign.
Do not normalize persistent tooth sensitivity. It may be the first signal of a problem that, treated early, remains simple and minimally invasive.
If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, come for a consultation at Longchamp CIL Dental Clinic. A clinical examination and possibly an X-ray allow the precise cause to be identified in a few minutes.
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