Month: March 2023

When the dentin, the coating of your teeth underneath the enamel, is exposed, dental discomfort typically results. Erosion (wear and tear) and gum recession may be to blame for this.

Teeth roots include hundreds of small tubules that lead to the interior of your tooth but aren’t protected by strong enamel (the pulp). The nerve in your tooth is stimulated by stimuli like hot, cold, or sweet food through these dentinal tubules (or channels), which causes the discomfort you experience.

Further to being a sign of cavities, gum disease, or a damaged tooth, dental sensitivity may also be a sign of other problems. But how can one know if they’re experiencing tooth sensitivity and how to treat a sensitive tooth? In this NYC Smile’s article, we’ll give answers to these questions.

How can you tell if your Teeth are Sensitive?

Here are some warning indicators to watch out for if you’re questioning whether your teeth are getting extremely sensitive:

• Undesirable reactions to hot drinks and food.
• Pain brought on by cold meals and beverages.
• Heat and cold sensitivity
• Brushing and flossing cause pain.
• Sensitivity to sweet and acidic meals and beverages.

It’s quite common to have a sharp ache or some minor discomfort following eating a hot soup plate or while indulging in an ice cream cup. While we have a sense that our teeth are about to come out during these experiences, tooth sensitivity is not related to dental roots. It mostly affects our enamel, a layer that covers our teeth and protects our nerve endings.

What causes Teeth Sensitivity?

Teeth sensitivity is a disorder that can be passed down genetically or developed under stressful circumstances. Despite the circumstance, if it is resolved quickly, there won’t be any dangers. The following are the various root causes of this unpleasant ailment:

• Ingestion of meals and drinks with acid regularly.
• Too much force is used while brushing and flossing, which damages the enamel.
• Teeth that have been broken or fractured, revealing some dentin.
• Poor dental hygiene that leaves no trace of germs.
• Routinely gnashing one’s teeth, even while asleep.

Tooth sensitivity could be caused by other health problems. For instance, acid might go from your gut to your mouth as a result of bulimia and gastroparesis. The acid will slowly wear away your enamel, exposing more and more fragile tooth layers.

How to Prevent Teeth Sensitivity?

See your dentist if you’re plagued by sensitive teeth. Your dentist can find the underlying reasons for your dental discomfort or rule them out. Based on the situation, your dentist may advise:

Toothpaste with Desensitizers: 

Desensitizing toothpaste might occasionally assist in reducing dental discomfort after repeated applications

Bonding or Desensitizing: 

On occasion, sensitive root surfaces that have been exposed might be addressed by coating them in bonding glue. It’s possible that you’ll need a local anesthetic..

Gum graft surgery: 

A little piece of gum tissue from another part of your mouth can be retrieved and connected to the damaged area if your tooth root has deteriorated gum tissue. By doing so, you can protect exposed roots and lessen sensitivity.

Fluoride: 

To bolster tooth enamel and lessen discomfort, your dentist may administer fluoride to the sensitive parts of your teeth. Also, he or she could advise applying prescription fluoride using a personalized tray at home.

A root canal treatment:

Your dentist may suggest a root canal to repair issues in the soft core of the tooth if your sensitive teeth are really painful as well as other treatments are ineffective (dental pulp). Despite the fact that this procedure may appear extensive, it is thought to be the most effective way to cure dental sensitivity.

Conclusion

Tooth sensitivity can affect anyone and the correct treatment depends on the root cause. To lessen the possibility of dental sensitivity brought on by typical wear and tear:

• Keep appropriate oral hygiene by continuing to brush and floss your teeth properly to completely clean your mouth and teeth.
• Employ a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid abrading the surface of your teeth and irritating your gums.
• Monitor your diet. With repeated consumption, acidic foods can gradually erode tooth enamel, exposing dentin. Moreover, they could heighten sensitivity and trigger a pain response.
• Employ fluoride dental products. A fluoridated mouthwash might lessen sensitivity when used daily. Ask your dentist if there are any things you can use at home.
• If you grind or clench your teeth at night, wear a mouth guard so this doesn’t happen.
• See the dentist frequently. See a dentist regularly to have your teeth cleaned, checked, and treated with fluoride.

Contact us today if you are suffering from tooth sensitivity and our team of professional dentists will help you find out the root cause and the treatment that you need.

A plaque that has hardened is called tartar – a hard, yellowish deposit that can accumulate on teeth and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not removed.

When dental plaque is soft, brushing and flossing can still get rid of it. Yet removing tartar calls for a trip to the dentist. If tartar is left on tooth surfaces, it can lead to decay, foul breath, gum disease, and tooth discoloration.

Tartar may form more easily in some persons. If you discover these stains on the surface of your teeth, make a dentist visit as soon as you can. But the first question most people ask is does tartar removal hurt? Well in this NYC Smile’s article we will give you information regarding this question and the variables that affect it.

What is Tartar?

Tartar, also known as calculus, is a hardening collection of plaque & minerals from the saliva. Tartar can encroach below the gum line and cover the outside of teeth. On teeth, tartar has the texture of a crusty blanket. Food and drink may easily stain tartar due to its porous nature.

Tartar deposits frequently form behind and between teeth and are typically yellow or brown in color. Both plaque and tartar may seriously harm the condition of your teeth.

Tartar’s Negative Effects on Oral Health:

Plaque and tartar can:

• Bacterial accumulation can lead to foul breath.
• Erode the tooth’s strong outer layer, the enamel, which can result in cavities, dental decay, and maybe even tooth loss.
• Encourage gum disease.

Is Tartar Removal painful?

Your dentist will employ an ultrasonic tool with a small nozzle to target difficult-to-reach areas during the operation. Tartar is broken down by this gadget using oscillation and ultrasonic vibrations, which don’t damage the enamel. Another nozzle simultaneously sprays water into specific areas to remove the broken tartar bits.

Many elements, such as the following, affect how painful tartar removal is:

Amount of Tartar

Too much tartar on the teeth might make the removal process uncomfortable. The procedure is simpler the less accumulation there is. If tartar has remained on the surface of the teeth for a long period, it may become lodged in the gums.

Oral Health Condition

If you have gum disease or sensitive teeth, tartar removal could be uncomfortable for you. If you are anxious or have a low pain threshold, tell your dentist so they can make you feel better throughout the operation.

Type of Device Used

Since there aren’t any control options on the manual scaler, your teeth may be under additional strain. On the other hand, the ultrasonic scaler may feel softer due to adjustable settings.

How often should you get Tartar removed?

Many dentists recommend visiting for a dental cleaning and examination every six months, and more frequently if you have gum disease or are at risk of developing it (if you suffer from diabetes or smoke, for example). If you’re susceptible to plaque (and therefore tartar) buildup, you’ll also require more regular cleanings.

Those who could require cleanings more frequently include:

• Those who frequently get dry mouth from drugs or age. Although saliva does contain germs, it also aids in the removal of dietary debris.
• Individuals who aren’t physically capable of brushing their teeth properly.
• Individuals with medical issues that make it difficult for them to properly comprehend or carry out a dental hygiene regimen.

Ways for Preventing Tartar Buildup

We must keep in mind that tartar may only be removed by professionals. Yet, we may manage the quantity of plaque in our mouths and avoid tartar accumulation by taking preventive measures.

Limiting the growth of plaque, tartar’s precursor, is the most important step in the prevention of tartar formation. According to research, tartar may form from plaque in a matter of hours. Consequently, removing tartar requires frequent brushing and flossing.

Using tartar-control toothpaste in addition to the fundamental brushing and flossing may stop this unwanted development of crud on our teeth.

Moreover, toothpaste containing baking soda aids in preventing tartar formation. Baking soda can successfully remove plaque more efficiently and prevent tartar development since it is moderately abrasive.

Conclusion

Tartar removal is an important part of maintaining good dental hygiene, but it can be uncomfortable for some patients. However, the discomfort is usually mild and temporary, and your dentist can provide numbing medication to help reduce the pain.

It’s important to keep up with regular dental check-ups and cleanings to prevent tartar buildup and avoid more serious dental problems. If you’re looking for a dental practice in New York City that offers high-quality tartar removal and other dental services, consider NYC Dental Smiles. Our experienced team of dentists and hygienists can help keep your teeth and gums healthy and looking their best.