Everything you need to know about sensitive teeth

Have you ever experienced pain or discomfort after eating a scoop of ice cream or a spoonful of hot soup? Don’t be troubled! Many people experience such symptoms after consuming cold or hot foods. It is known as dentin hypersensitivity or tooth sensitivity. The sensitivity can be either chronic or temporary. It can affect one tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth at the same time.  

In this blog you’ll get to know everything about sensitive teeth and how to treat it. 

 Symptoms of teeth sensitivity 

Here are a few symptoms that may help you become aware of the sensitivity and take preventive measures as soon as possible. 

  • Spontaneous tooth pain with no apparent cause. 
  • Tooth sensitivity particularly on a single tooth. 
  • Milder pain sharply raising suddenly. 
  • Staining on your teeth’s surface. 
  • Pain while biting or chewing. 

 Triggering factors of unexpected teeth sensitivity 

Many factors can contribute to the onset of sensitive teeth, such as: 

  1. Brushing too hard: Brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear down enamel and expose dentin over time. It can also lead to gum recession.
  2. Gum disease: Sensitivity may result from the loss of supporting ligaments, exposing the root surface and leading directly to the tooth’s nerve.
  3. Cracked teeth: Bacteria from plaque can enter the pulp of a chipped or broken tooth, causing inflammation.
  4. Teeth whitening products: These are significant contributors to tooth sensitivity. Use only dentist-suggested products.
  5. Age: You are likely to experience teeth sensitivity between the ages of 25 and 30.
  6. Plaque build-up: Cavities on the root surfaces can start causing sensitivity.
  7. Mouthwash: Some acid containing mouthwashes can aggravate tooth sensitivity. Discuss with a dentist if a neutral fluoride mouthwash can help you with your dentin sensitivity.
  8. Acidic foods: Consuming foods with a high acid content regularly, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, pickles, and tea, can cause enamel erosion.
  9. Recent dental procedures: Fillings, teeth cleanings, and dental restoration placement can all cause sensitive teeth.
  10. Bruxism: Grinding or clenching your teeth can wear down the enamel. 

 Treatments for teeth sensitivity 

 Use desensitizing toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash to reduce pain associated with sensitive teeth after several applications. Consult your dentist to determine which product is best for you. Exposed root surfaces can occasionally be treated by applying bonding resin to the sensitive root surfaces. Maintaining a proper oral hygiene regimen is always advisable. Wearing a mouth guard can help if you tend to grind or clench your teeth at night. In the worst-case scenario, if other treatments are ineffective and your sensitive teeth are causing severe pain, your dentist may recommend a root canal. And above all visit your dentist regularly for professional exams, cleanings, and fluoride treatments. 

 If you have any of the above symptoms or have discomfort in your gums, feel free to get in touch with our dental experts at Bravo! Dental. We can assist you with your sensitive teeth and recommend the appropriate treatment. 

Don’t let your teeth sensitivity get in the way of experiencing the flavours of life 

All that you should know about Hyperdontia

Hyperdontia is a dental condition in which too many teeth develop in the mouth, or in other words when a person’s additional teeth grow around their existing teeth. ‘Supernumerary’ teeth, or additional teeth, does not only occur for adults but also for infants.

Some may feel it looks charming for many, but it can also cause discomfort and other problems.

The additional teeth are usually the same size and form in terms of appearance. However, they can occasionally appear in varied shapes and sizes. Hyperdontia is also twice as frequent in males as it is in females.

Extra teeth can be of many types:

Supplementary – Teeth are of regular size and form

Tuberculate – Teeth with a barrel shape

Conical – Teeth that are peg-shaped or pointed

Compound/complex odontoma – A cluster of teeth-like growths or a bulk of tooth-like tissue

Causes for Hyperdontia:

According to experts, the exact cause of this disorder is still unknown; however, it is thought to be linked to specific inherited problems. As a result, if you have hyperdontia, you are likely to have another ailment as well. Gardner’s syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are two more frequent genetic disorders that may result in Hyperdontia. Hyperdontia is caused by a problem in the tooth formation malfunctioning. This issue is frequently simple and inexplicable. The inadequate cells proliferate during the formation of a new tooth, resulting in an “extra” tooth.

Risks faced due to Hyperdontia:

Supernumerary teeth might overlap, making it harder for those with Hyperdontia to properly clean their teeth and gums. This may result in certain gum diseases. While some people may never encounter oral health concerns as a result of their extra teeth, others may experience issues such as:

  • Malocclusion
  • Tooth decay
  • Gum diseases
  • Impacted teeth
  • Aesthetic concerns
  • Crowded or crooked teeth
  • Problems with teeth sprouting in a regular pattern
  • Food chewing issues
  • Speaking difficulties
  • Pain and inflammation

Treatment for Hyperdontia:

Hyperdontia cannot be prevented as hereditary disorders mainly cause it, but you can recognize the indications early and seek treatment to avoid as many issues as possible.

If your permanent teeth have been impacted by the extra teeth, causing them to grow crookedly, you may require orthodontic therapy to straighten them out. Invisible aligners are a good option for minor changes, but you’ll definitely need conventional braces if your teeth are rotated or your bite has been impacted.

Extraction is the most common treatment for Hyperdontia. However, some people may require orthodontic therapy to rectify malocclusion or other alignment concerns after tooth extraction. Traditional braces, which may address mild to severe alignment difficulties, are frequently the best option for such problems.

Talk to our dental experts at Bravo Dental today to understand the impact of hyperdontia on your teeth.

How is Snoring related to your Oral Health

Is your partner annoyed with your loud snoring at night? You are not alone!

Snoring is a common occurrence for millions of individuals; studies show that 37 million people snore every night.

Every night, 40 % of men, 24% of women, and even up to 12% of youngsters, of the global population, are estimated to snore. Most of us think it is normal, but medical specialists, on the other hand, relate it to a variety of circumstances, including weight, alcohol consumption, disease, medicine, and even lack of sleep. Because snoring is so frequent, we sometimes mistake it for something normal and even healthy. But if you snore excessively, it is a clear sign that something else might be at stake in your body.

What is snoring?

When your airway is partially or fully closed, you will snore. That all-too-familiar sound is caused by vibrating tissue, a bloated or fluid-filled nasal cavity, or a tongue obstruction. Other common reasons why the nasal cavity is blocked would be obesity, chronic nasal congestion, alcohol, or tobacco. But, whatever the cause of the obstruction be, the result is the same: breathing becomes difficult, and we open our lips to allow more air in. And this is where the dental issue begins.

How can snoring affect your Oral health?

Saliva is an essential component of your alimentary canal, and is produced in your mouth. While snoring, the saliva dries out. If this persists, the salivary glands will stop working and run out of saliva to keep your mouth moist. The absence of salivary flow is known as xerostomia.

If you are wondering if that is such a bad thing: Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth by washing away dead cells from the tongue, cheeks, and gums. These dead cells produce an odor and can cause foul breath if they aren’t eliminated regularly. pH imbalances, cavities, and tooth decay are also more likely in dry mouths. Acids and bacterial plaque quickly collect in the absence of saliva, eroding tooth enamel or forming small pits that grow into cavities. Bacteria can even reach the tooth’s inner layer, harming sensitive nerves and dental roots if untreated. Since saliva is also an important factor in digestion of food, xerostamia could also adversely affect your digestive tract and associated organs.

How to get rid of excessive snoring?

Consult your dentist at once and request a sleep evaluation to determine the severity of your problem and figure out the best treatment. If the symptoms of snoring have progressed, your doctor may suggest popular remedies, such as:

• CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy: The hose, mask, and nosepiece of a CPAP machine continuously pump air across your airway, preventing it from narrowing.

• Customized snore guard: Your dentist can create a snore guard or mouthpiece-like device that repositions your mouth to keep your airway open.

• Minor surgery: If your doctor thinks it’s essential, surgery can clear your airway by removing tissue from the back of your throat.

If you have been witnessing a lot of problems due to snoring, a trip to your dentist might be in order. Contact us at Bravo Dental today and get rid of your annoying snoring.

Give your partner a peaceful night’s sleep…on us!

Top 5 factors that makes your teeth cold sensitive

Dreaming of the good old days when enjoying your favorite sundae, did not involve any discomfort, let alone pain?

If eating ice cream or drinking a cold beverage hurts your teeth, you most likely have decay or a gum problem. So how do your teeth become cold-sensitive? When the nerves present in the teeth are exposed to receding gums or damaged dental enamel, the teeth become cold-sensitive.

What Makes your Teeth Sensitive to Cold Temperatures?

Cold-sensitive teeth can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  1. Tooth Decay or Gum Disease: If your sensitive teeth ache even when you’re not eating or drinking anything cold, you may have tooth decay or gum disease. Plaque accumulation on the teeth and gums can aggravate cold sensitivity by causing tooth decay and gum disease.
  2. Excessive Product Use: Cold-sensitive teeth can be caused by external causes such as cleaning your teeth too hard, overusing dental whitening procedures, or acids found in regular foods and drinks such as wine, coffee, and tomatoes, which can cause irreparable enamel loss.
  3. Grinding Teeth and Stress: Excessive tooth grinding (bruxism) can wear away the enamel and expose nerves, resulting in cold-sensitive teeth.
  4. Exposed Nerve Roots: The biological cause of cold sensitivity in teeth begins in the tooth’s pulp. When tooth roots become exposed owing to receding gums or gum disease, the nerves in the pulp render your teeth sensitive to cold.
  5. Teeth Cracks: Microscopic cracks can form as your teeth expand and contract in response to hot and cold temperatures. Because the fissures give another conduit to the nerves, the teeth are more sensitive to cold.

These problems might sometimes get so severe that you need professional help. A dental expert would prescribe a sensitive toothpaste that de-sensitizes your nerves while also containing fluoride to prevent tooth decay. If the situation is more significant, a tooth sensitivity treatment that involves applying a sealant to your tooth to help protect it and relieve the pain associated with dental sensitivity would be required.

If you’re ready to get rid of the discomfort caused by sensitive teeth, or if you have any questions, contact our specialists at Bravo Dental today, and stop dreaming of the good old days and get a spoon handy to eat that sundae again to your heart’s content!