Do you ever wince with pain following the sip of hot coffee or lick of an ice cream cone? That jolt of pain with tooth sensitivity to hot and/or cold torments tens of millions of Americans each day. Many adults experience some degree of sensitivity during their lifetime.
Most of them withstand it, believing it is normal, but sensitivity is often a sign of dental issues that cannot be dismissed—and, in some cases, may even require drastic dental procedures such as a root canal.
But does a root canal solve sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures automatically? Not necessarily. In this ultimate guide, we’re going to cover the causes of dentin hypersensitivity, when sensitivity is something to watch out for, and if the procedure of a root canal may be the solution you’re searching for for long-term relief. Learn the essentials before you search for “root canal dentist near me” on the web.
What is Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity—also known as dentinal hypersensitivity in technical terms—refers to sudden stabbing pain whenever your teeth come into contact with some stimulus. The most common triggers are:
- Hot foods and beverages (soup, coffee, and tea)
- Cold foods (ice cream, cold drinks, even cold air)
- Sugar-containing foods and drinks
- Acid foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, wine)
- Cold water for dental cleaning
- Flossing or brushing particular zones
The ache arises when the dentin—beneath your tooth enamel covering—gets exposed. Dentin contains many tiny tubules that extend down through to the tooth nerve. When those tubules get exposed, temperature changes, acidic foods, and even pressures can stimulate the nerves inside your tooth to produce that sharp pain.
Common Causes Of Sensitivity To Hot And Cold Foods/Drinks
Enamel Erosion
Your tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in your body, designed to protect the softer inner structures of your teeth. However, the defence of this covering weakens with time due to the following:
- Aggressive tooth brushing with hard-bristled toothbrushes
- Frequent consumption of acidic foods and beverages
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
- Certain health conditions, such as acid reflux
When the enamel erodes, it leaves less protection for the sensitive dentin layer underneath it, and your teeth become more heat-sensitive.
Tooth Decay
Cavities and tooth decay pass through the enamel covering. They may eventually extend to the dentin or even the pulp (the innermost part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels). At this point, when the decay has progressed so far, you may experience sensitivity, which eventually develops into more continuous pain.
Early Signs That Sensitivity Is Becoming A Problem
Temporary sensitivity is not necessarily something to worry about immediately, but certain warning signs tell you that dentin hypersensitivity needs to be professionally addressed:
Increasing Frequency and Intensity
More frequent sensitivity or more severe pain can be a sign of continued destruction of your tooth structure.
Chronic pain
The normal sensitivity vanishes shortly as soon as the stimulus is withdrawn. Sensitivity for 30 seconds and longer following withdrawal of the hot or cold object can be indicative of pulp damage of the tooth or inflammation.
Sensitivity Accompanied by Other Symptoms
Be especially cautious if the following signs also accompany your sensitivity:
- Holes or pits visible on teeth
- Discoloration of the tooth
- Pain when biting
- Tenderness of the gums near the tooth is affected
- Ongoing bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
These symptoms also indicate more serious dental issues that would end up with a need for root canal therapy if not addressed.
How Untreated Sensitivity Can Lead To More Serious Dental Problems
Even mild sensitivity may be relieved with tooth products obtained over the counter, but chronic sensitivity may have serious side effects such as:
- Process of Decay
- Inflammation of The Pulp
- Abscess Formation
Alternative Solutions for Dentin Hypersensitivity
Before the exploration of the root canal, less invasive options for treating sensitivity in teeth are:
Desensitizing Toothpaste and Fluoride Treatments
For mild to moderate sensitivity, particularly if it is due to enamel erosion or slight gum recession:
Desensitizing toothpaste for teeth contains ingredients such as potassium nitrate that inhibit the transmission of pain signals from the tooth surface to the nerve. Sensitivity is significantly relieved with regular usage for many weeks.
Dentists may apply fluoride gels or fluoride varnishes to cover the open dentinal tubules with a blanket for relief that lasts up to several months.
Dental Bonding, Fillings, and Crowns
For more serious structural issues of the teeth, you may need the following:
Dental bonding is placing tooth-coloured resin on visible roots and covering the sensitive parts with it. It is rapid and painless.
Fillings are required when decay or cavities are the reasons behind sensitivity. By removing the part of the tooth affected and filling it with some sort of filling material, the inner parts are protected against sensitivity.
Crowns may also be suggested for teeth with severe decay. Crowns cover the tooth completely at the top, protecting it against heat, cold temperatures and further decay.
Life Style
Small modifications in your everyday lifestyle can be employed to treat and prevent sensitivity:
- Steering clear of acidic foods and drinks such as tomatoes, wine, and carbonated drinks can prevent further enamel erosion.
- You can prevent subsequent enamel wear away with the help of a mouth guard during nighttime teeth grinding.
- Rinse with water if you have eaten something acidic to clean off acidic materials eroding the enamel.
- The brushing technique is important—brush in soft circles instead of back and forth with force.
When Root Canal Therapy is Required for Sensitive Teeth
Though the following suggestions are appropriate for mild and moderate sensitivity, there are some instances where a root canal specialist is necessitated—primarily where sensitivity is indicative of issues of a more serious nature.
Symptoms That Your Sensitivity May Require A Root Canal
Root canal therapy would normally be advised in severe cases where:
- Ache persists even following exposure to cold or heat
- Sensitivity has become spontaneous pain that is not due to any stimulus
- Pain bothers you at night or disrupts your daily activities
- There is swelling with the pimple-like bump or drainage on the gums
- X-rays reveal infection of the tip of the tooth’s root
- Sensitivity remains even with less invasive procedures
The Root Canal Process in Excessive Sensitivity
Your endodontic specialist would most likely treat the sensitivity of the pulp that was injured in the following ways:
- Diagnosis: Complete evaluation with x-rays to establish the degree of damage.
- Anaesthesia: Local anaesthesia makes you pain-free during the procedure.
- Isolation: A dental dam separates the infected tooth, keeping it clean and dry during treatment.
- Access: A tiny hole is created within the tooth’s crown through which your dentist enters the pulp chamber.
- Cleaning: Pulp that is infected or inflamed is removed, and canals are properly cleaned and shaped.
- Antibiotics are either administered within the tooth in the case of infection.
- Prosthetic filling: A prosthetic filling temporarily covers the tooth until the second visit is made.
- Permanent filling: Cleaned canals are filled with a rubber-like substance called gutta-percha to close them.
- Restoration: A restoration such as a crown is usually placed subsequently to cover the tooth and return it to full function.
Call the Dentist for a Root Canal
If you have severe or chronic heat and/or cold sensitivity that’s preventing eating and/or drinking, as well as overall comfort throughout the day, professional care is in order. Procrastination causes the pain to worsen, the damage to increase, and the procedures to become longer and more expensive in the end.
Don’t let tooth pain rule your life—take action for relief now. Schedule your consultation to learn if you need one of our root canal dentists in the area or if something else would be ideal.
Call us now to arrange for a free consultation to discuss your symptoms and the options for treating your tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. Are professional root canals in Farmington Hills necessary? We provide cutting-edge, gentle care for even the most severe cases of dentin hypersensitivity.
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