Do you find yourself cringing from pain when eating ice cream or drinking hot tea? If so, you are not alone. Believe it or not, tooth sensitivity is a common oral condition affecting many patients for a variety of reasons. To test whether or not you might have tooth sensitivity and what you can do about it, we have a brief quiz to test your tooth savviness, with just five questions!
True or false:
1-T/F: Everybody feels pain when they bite into hot or cold foods.
2-T/F: There’s no pain relief available outside of a dental office for tooth sensitivity.
3-T/F: Once you have sensitive teeth, you can’t drink coffee, tea, or eat ice cream anymore.
4-T/F: If you have sensitive teeth you are vulnerable to losing a tooth or teeth.
5-T/F: You can cure tooth sensitivity.
Answers:
1- False: Having hypersensitivity isn’t a given. Rather, it means that you have something going on. You might have a cavity, old fillings needing replacement, periodontal disease, eroded tooth enamel, or exposed tooth roots.
2- False: You can buy over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste with the ADA seal of Acceptance on it showing that it is effective. This toothpaste offers relief by blocking pain signals from the tooth’s surface trying to reach the nerve. You can feel the difference after several uses.
3- False: Tooth sensitivity can be treated once your dentist determines the source of the sensitivity.
4- True: Unfortunately, tooth sensitivity from receding gums or cavities can cause lost teeth if treatment is not sought. Eventually, as gums recede, and decay destroys the tooth, jawbone can be lost and the teeth loosen and fall out. This is avoidable with proper dental care.
5- True: Absolutely! Treatment options vary depending on the source of your sensitivity, but something as easy as having dental fillings, gum treatment and increased daily oral hygiene can effectively treat tooth sensitivity.
If you have a sensitive tooth, or teeth, in your smile and would like relief, we urge you to see our dentist for treatment. Our Family Smile Center LLC team in Frederick, Maryland can schedule you soon with Dr. Danny H. Dinh. Just call 301.663.9484 for the care you deserve!