How often do you indulge in the pleasure of eating ice cream or a delicious apple? Virtually every person is faced with sensitive teeth at one time or another. According to statistics, half of the world’s population suffers from this disease. They cannot eat sour grapes and fruit or indulge in a glass of cold milk or juice. Even access to the outdoors during the cold season causes them discomfort. If you suffer from these kinds of issues, seeing dentists in Appleton may be your only hope for relief.
Some people that feel this kind of discomfort tend to visit a dentist with the hope that he or she will identify a cavity and cure them. This is not always the reason for increased sensitivity, and the reaction to temperature and food stimuli associated with the caries process. Sometimes even seemingly healthy teeth cause sensitivity issues. So what is the cause of tooth sensitivity and how can you fight it?
Causes of sensitive teeth
The first appearance of sensitivity are usually due to changes in the structure of the enamel. Teeth are obligated to protect its purposeful dentin layer underneath it and its nerve endings. When thinning enamel nerves respond to stimuli, it causes pain. Thinning enamel happens for many reasons. This may be associated with impaired mineralization or improper cleaning of teeth.
Once on dentin, food stimuli (acids, sugars, salts) penetrate into the structure through dentinal tubules. Over time, the width of the tubules increase and there is pressure on the nerve endings. As a result, there is pain from thermal stimuli. This process takes quite a long time, so once there is discomfort you should immediately contact your dentist. They will choose the most suitable methods for the treatment of hypersensitivity. This will prevent the occurrence of changes in the structure of the dentin, in particular in the dentinal tubules.
Consequences of tooth sensitivity
If you experience tooth sensitivity at first, discomfort may arise from hot and cold influences. It may also occur during the transition from a cold to warm room. If untreated, the process continues to evolve and there is sensitivity from going to sweet and sour. Then pain from mechanical stimulation sets in, which is where the most serious complications arise. For more information, contact your local dentists in Appleton today.