How Does Fluoride Treatment Help With Sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity is a common occurrence that one out of eight adults in America has. Having sensitive teeth is frustrating and painful. Sensitive teeth will deny you a scoop of ice cream or frozen treats during the summer or a hot cup of coffee every morning.

How will you know you have tooth sensitivity? If you are experiencing pain or discomfort when ingesting cold, hot, sour, or sugary food, when your teeth hurt, or even when chewing soft foods. Suppose your teeth continue to ache the whole day after the nerves have been activated.

The symptoms can range from mild irritation to extreme dental pain. Mild sensitivity shouldn’t be a cause for alarm. However, visit a pediatric dentist near you if it worsens or becomes frequent. For severe teeth sensitivity, consult an expert for possible fluoride treatment options.

Causes of Teeth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity happens when the part protecting your tooth nerves is exposed. The condition does not happen overnight; instead, it gradually develops. To know what happens, let’s discuss the structure of your tooth.

The enamel is the outmost part of your tooth which protects the tooth from anything that comes in. Cementum is the layer under the enamel and protects the roots that have threaded below the gumline. The dentin is the layer beneath the enamel and the cementum. It is a softer and vulnerable layer containing microscopic tubules that lead to tooth roots. When your tooth loses its protective layer, the enamel, hot, cold, or acidic foods will be able to stimulate nerves and cells inside the tooth’s root, causing sensitivity.

The following are some of the factors that can lead to tooth sensitivity. They include:

• Brushing aggressively or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear down your tooth enamel. It can also cause receding gums, exposing your tooth roots, and causing sensitivity.
• Poor oral care can cause cavities and tooth decay.
• Clenching and bruxism regularly can gradually wear down the enamel exposing the dentin.
• Frequent use of teeth whitening products that contain harsh chemicals. Over time, these products will wear down the enamel, causing sensitivity.
• Intake of high sugar or acidic diet. Sugary foods and beverages such as sodas, candy, coffee, and tomatoes can erode the enamel making the dentin vulnerable.

Benefits of Fluoride Treatments in Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is treated using fluoride treatment procedures by dental experts. Fluoride is a natural mineral that strengthens and protects our teeth. Unfortunately, the food and beverages we ingest eat away the minerals in our teeth. This is particularly true regarding the sugary and acidic foods and drinks that contribute to decay and demineralization of our teeth. Therefore, despite already getting a certain percentage of fluoride from your toothpaste and drinking water. You require an additional fluoride treatment near you to protect your tooth from decay and sensitivity.

To treat tooth sensitivity, your pediatric dentist has to rebuild your tooth’s enamel. The fluoride will work by reversing the demineralization process and strengthening the enamel. Anyone can have fluoride treatments, but they are often recommended to kids under six. This is because kids in this age bracket are still learning proper oral hygiene.

In-Office Fluoride Treatments

An in-office fluoride treatment in Bloomfield, CT, comes in various mediums. Some of which include gels, varnish, foam, or mouthwash. The dentist will apply highly concentrated fluoride to your teeth using a swab, tray, or brush.

The application process will only take a moment; afterward. Then, you will have to sit and let the fluoride absorb in your teeth. The whole treatment process will take about half an hour. You can leave the dentistry right after the application. However, don’t eat or drink anything for the next 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to be completely absorbed.

Preventive Measures of Teeth Sensitivity

While you still have fluoride treatments during your regular dental cleaning, we recommend a few preventive measures for dental sensitivity at Bloomfield Pediatric Dentistry.

• Brush your teeth gently while using a soft-bristled toothbrush and an anti-sensitivity toothpaste.
• Avoid taking foods and drinks containing high acids or sugar, such as carbonated drinks and citrus.
• Visit your pediatric dentist bi-annually for dental cleaning and checkups.
• Instead of whitening teeth at home, discuss with your dentist the available professional whitening options for sensitive teeth.