Treating Sensitivity Caused By Gum Recession
When you drink something cold, do you feel sharp pain and sensitivity with one of your teeth? If so, you might want to tell your dentist about this issue. Your dentist can examine your teeth to find the problem, and they can then suggest a treatment plan. In many cases, this type of feeling is the result of gum recession. If this is the cause of your sensitivity, you might benefit by knowing several vital things.
Why Gum Recession Causes Sensitivity
The first thing to know is why gum recession causes teeth to feel sensitive. The primary reason is the exposure of the roots. When your gums recede, it means that they begin shrinking. When this happens, it leaves tooth roots exposed. Your tooth roots are not meant to be exposed, though. The gums cover the roots, protecting them and keeping them safe. When they become exposed, you feel sensitivity because of the nerves found in these areas. The nerves send signals to your brain when they come in contact with cold drinks and foods.
Steps You Can Take
If your dentist diagnoses the problem as receding gums, you can do a couple of things to solve the problem. The first thing you can do is to switch to a toothpaste product for sensitive teeth. Your dentist will recommend a brand for you to use. If you use this every time you brush your teeth, it will become more effective over time. Next, you can use a desensitizing agent on your gums. Your dentist can also suggest a brand to use. This agent is something you rub on the affected gums every night before bed. After using it for a few weeks, you will notice a huge improvement in the sensitivity you experience.
What Your Dentist Can Do
When you have receding gums, your dentist can fix them by performing a gum grafting procedure. This procedure requires adding gum tissue to the areas that need it. Afterward, your gums will heal, and the new gum tissue will cover these areas, leaving you with less sensitivity than you had before the procedure.
Treating the problem at home is often the best first step to try. If you try these suggestions, you might find relief from the sensitivity, and you might not need any more treatment from your dentist. If you have questions about tooth problems, contact a local dentist's office today.