Is Tooth Sensitivity a Dental Emergency?

is tooth sensitivity a dental emergency? Lone Tree

You can experience tooth sensitivity when the enamel of your teeth starts to thin. Or when nerves in your teeth become exposed. You may feel pain only when you drink hot or cold liquids. Or it could occur any time you chew.

Is tooth sensitivity a dental emergency?

If tooth sensitivity comes on suddenly, it may be a dental emergency or at least an urgent dental issue that shouldn’t be ignored.

Either way, at Almeida & Bell Cosmetic, Implant & Sedation Dentistry we can establish the cause and treat it if it’s dental-related. If we can’t treat the underlying condition, we can refer you to a specialist.

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by:

  • A cavity
  • Gum recession
  • A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
  • An abscess
  • Thinning enamel due to teeth grinding, bulimia, acid reflux, an acidic diet, vaping, or a bite abnormality
  • Teeth whitening treatment

Of course, the treatment for tooth sensitivity depends on the cause.

If you experience sudden tooth sensitivity, book an appointment at Almeida & Bell Cosmetic, Implant & Sedation Dentistry. Drs. Almeida will determine the cause of the sensitivity. If the sensitivity is due to thinning enamel, Drs. Almeida will recommend an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste. A high-fluoride toothpaste formulated for tooth sensitivity reduces tooth pain after several applications. However, some patients may need in-office procedures such as fluoride gel treatments.

If the sensitivity is caused by an abscess or a cavity, we will take care of that issue as well. We perform root canals, fillings, and inlays/onlays.

These habits can weaken or diminish your tooth enamel:

1. Chewing on hard foods

We’re looking at you Bone-in ribs and hard candy.

2. Chewing on hard things

This includes fingernails, pencils, pen caps, and ice.

3. Grinding your teeth

If you grind your teeth, discuss it with your dentist. An appliance can safeguard your smile. Then seek appropriate treatment for the underlying cause. Drs. Almeida can recommend medical professionals that specialize in treating teeth grinding.

4. Eating too much sticky food

Gummy candy, dried fruit, and even protein bars can chip teeth.

5. Drinking anything besides water frequently

If your teeth are bathed in soda (sugared or diet), juice, coffee, or sports drinks habitually, you are asking for dental problems.

6. Playing sports without a mouthguard

Sports pose a major risk of tooth damage. Most children are required to wear a protective mouthguard on the playing field. But fewer adults wear mouthguards for recreational activities like mountain biking and skiing. Stock mouthguards are one-size-fits-all but rarely fit well. Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist are more comfortable than the cheap boil-and-bite type.

7. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush

A hard-bristled toothbrush can break teeth and cause gums to pull away. Brush away food bits and plaque with a soft (or extra-soft) toothbrush.

8. Ignoring dry mouth

Saliva is important. This helps to rinse food particles from your mouth as well as neutralize the acids that cause plaque. It also helps clean the teeth of leftover food bits, helping to prevent plaque buildup. Constant dry mouth, or xerostomia, can lead to decay. Talk to your dentist if you have dry mouth often.

9. Using teeth as tools

Locate a pair of scissors to open a package or pry the lid of a medicine bottle. Use a nutcracker if you are eating unshelled nuts. A quality dental crown can cost over eight hundred dollars.

10. Ignoring bad breath

Bad breath is often related to bacteria build-up in the mouth. It might be a symptom of accelerating decay. Discuss it with your dentist. (Don’t be embarrassed. We treat bad breath all the time.)

11. Ignoring jaw pain

If you experience frequent jaw pain or notice a clicking sound, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist ASAP! These symptoms can be signs of a serious condition called temporomandibular disorder or TMD.

Is it too late? Have you already broken or chipped a tooth? We can repair it at Almeida & Bell Cosmetic, Implant & Sedation Dentistry. There are a number of restorative and cosmetic dental treatments for chipped or cracked teeth.

Contact Almeida & Bell Cosmetic, Implant & Sedation Dentistry:

303-858-9000

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8683 E Lincoln Ave Ste 200
Lone Tree, Colorado
80124

 

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