The "M" shape part of the tooth is what we call a "Crown". It’s the part you see above the gum. The fang like shape is called the root. There are also layers on the teeth. Enamel is the top layer on the teeth. It’s the strongest layer on the tooth. The layer under that is called the dentin. Dentin is not all that strong. Cementum is a thin layer of bony material that holds the teeth to the jaw. Finally, the last part is called the Pulp. The pulp holds the nerve of the tooth.

There are a few reasons behind this:

• Tooth Decay

• Periodontal Disease, (Gum Disease)

• Exposed Tooth Roots

• Broken or Fractured Teeth

• Worn Tooth Enamel

• Old and Worn Fillings

Tooth Decay

As soon as infection or also known as cavities or decay get past the enamel of the tooth then the process speeds up. It takes a lot of time for a cavity to move through the enamel because of how strong it is. But once it hits the dentine then it spreads. Once the infection reaches the pulp then you can get what is called an abscess. This results in having to get a root canal or having it extracted.

Gum Disease / Exposed Roots

Having gum disease causes you’re gums to be inflamed or irritated. They’ll bleed while brushing or flossing or simply out of nowhere. Gum disease is an infection to your gums and body. Once infection is below the gums it can only be removed by your dentist or hygienist. Left untreated the infecting can make its way through the dentin below the tooth. Enamel is only available at the top of the tooth, not on the entire tooth. So it makes it much easier for the decay to ruin the tooth. By getting your six month check-ups will eliminate this outcome.

Broken or Fractured

Having a broken tooth can cause you to have pain with sensitivity. You might even experience nothing while having a broken or fractured tooth but that does NOT mean you won’t. Decay is more likely to progress at a faster rate because of the loss of tooth structure and enamel. Maybe you have a tooth that looks perfectly fine with no decay, gum disease, or chips present on the surface, but you’re experiencing sensitivity to that tooth. You could possibly have a tiny crack in that tooth that is letting in infection. If that’s the case then hurry on in to get it checked out.

Warn Tooth Enamel

Do you grind your teeth at night or just have a really strong bite when you chew? Then this can happen to you! By grinding your teeth at night you are rubbing your top teeth and lower teeth together really heard left and right. Who knows how long you are even doing this. The enamel gets warn down and the dentin is wearing down too. Then the only thing left is the pulp! You do NOT want to get that far. So by stopping this you can get a special constructed night guard that fits perfectly to your own teeth. We can’t stop you from grinding; we can only stop you from wearing your teeth down.

Old and Warn Fillings

Yes, having old fillings can cause sensitivity to your teeth. Especially the big fillings you have on the back teeth. You use your back teeth to do all the chewing. How many times do you eat during the day? X’s that by 365. Now that’s a lot of chewing! You back teeth take a lot of force and having fillings right in the middle of the teeth will constantly push deeper into the tooth where the nerve is cause sensitivity. We recommend that you cap those teeth so they can take the force of chewing with no problem.

Here at our office’s Cumberland Dentistry and Monterey Dental Center we carefully examine the problem and see what is happening first hand. We’ll X-Ray the troubled tooth and then come up with a way to fix the tooth.

After the fact, the problem could even be solved as to something so simple like using a special type of toothpaste. Now, some teeth are just sensitive and the way to treat that is to get a desensitizing toothpaste like the kind we offer right here at the office. The desensitizing toothpaste contains special compounds like potassium that help block transmissions of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. It basically helps to calm the nerve. Keep in mind that it takes a few times of brushing your teeth with the toothpaste to actually take effect.

Sensitive teeth CAN be treated and also avoided by using proper oral hygiene! Just remember that tooth sensitivity is usually a sign that something is wrong. So come on in or call us for your check up today!