Why are my Teeth Senstive?

This Monday I will be interviewed by a writer about sensitive teeth. Interestingly enough this month I have had many patients (more than usual) tell me their teeth are sensitive. I am attributing it to the cold snap we have here in New York. It is not just cold air that afflicts the teeth, it can be cold water, sweets, tooth paste, or brushing. To give some background all teeth have pores. These pores are not on the white enamel that we smile with, rather they are right at the border of the tooth and gum. As we abuse our teeth with brushing too hard, grinding our teeth, not flossing, or even not having cleanings often enough our gums can receed. That yellow line you see at the border of the gum and enamel is exposed root. Roots are porous. These pores will go all the way down to the nerve of the tooth. So if something covers these pores, like gum tissue, enamel or calicium (as it should) the tooth is NOT sensitive. If an acidic diet (any drink having Citric Acid), brushing too hard, grinding our teeth, brushing with too strong of a toothpaste (for your mouth) can cause the tooth to be cold sensitive. Cold sensitive to: water, foods, ice, or the COLD New York air. There is a simple solution: cover the pores. This can be done by your dentist by multiple products, or by you at home with Sensodyne ProNamel toothpaste. The paste with Potassium Nitrate "quiets" the nerve of the tooth and soon via Calcium, Fluoride and saliva repair the pores get plugged up. A more "quiet" tooth means a more comfortable tooth. That being said on a tooth that is very sensitive, after brushing and flossing, one could rub a bit of the paste on that sensitive tooth (right at the level of the gum) and let it sit overnight.

Of course more can be wrong with the tooth, the sensitivity could be from a dying nerve and need a root canal, it could be from grinding your teeth, it could be from a crack in the tooth or a cavity, but this is a good start. I have to of course end with the comment "you should seek the advice of your dentist if symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks". That is just good advice no matter who is interviewing you. :)

There is some good information to also review on the Sensodyne website.

http://www.pronamel.us/

How Often Should I Floss?

There is a dynamic balance in the mouth. Each person's oral environment differs by genetics, eating habits, hygiene habits and bacteria. For the most part all of these are INHERITED. We inherit tooth and jaw shape from one or both parents. we inherit our eating and hygiene habits from whoever we spent the most time with growing up. We inherit bacteria from whoever fed you those first meals and "tested" your food for you. Interestingly enough we can only play the hand we are dealt however we can play a big roll to influence those cards.

Some people will build up Plaque very quickly and need to brush often or they will get Cavities between their teeth. Some people will build up Calculus quickly (this is hardened plaque) and they NEED to floss or they will get irritation of the gums called gingivitis and eventually lead to periodontitis and tooth loss. Some people seem to put little effort into their hygiene and have perfect teeth. I suppose in such a vague sense "IT DEPENDS". In a perfect world the dentist will tell you to floss everyday. In reality many people do not. Many people do not have to. It is great to get into a daily habit. Prevention goes so far in the mouth! It is better to stay ahead of the curve and not allow disease to set in. To spend time with your dentist and find out what is the right regimine for YOUR oral dynamics.