Why are my teeth sensitive?

Why is my tooth more sensitive after I had dental work completed?

How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?

My filling is broken but my tooth doesn't hurt, should I come in and let the tooth be evaluated?

My tooth is hurting, do I need a root canal?

My tooth hurts when I bite down, is that normal?

What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?

Do I need dental x-rays every year?

Why are my teeth sensitive?
Sensitive teeth are one of the most common complaints among dental patients. At least 45 million adults in the United States suffer from sensitive teeth at some point.  It is caused when the hard enamel is worn down or gums have receded and tiny tubes in the teeth have become exposed.  This can cause pain by eating or drinking food and beverages that are hot or cold; touching your teeth; or exposing them to cold air.  Tooth sensitivity can be reduced by using desensitizing toothpaste, applying sealants and other desensitizing ionization and filling materials including fluoride by your dentist, and decreasing the intake of acid-containing foods. Tartar control toothpastes will sometimes cause teeth to be sensitive as well as drinking diet soft drinks throughout the day.  Avoid using hard bristled toothbrushes and brushing your teeth too hard, which can wear down the tooth's root surface and expose sensitive spots. The way to find out if you're brushing your teeth too hard is to take a good look at your toothbrush. If the bristles are pointing in multiple directions, you're brushing too hard.

Why is my tooth more sensitive after I had dental work completed?
Some sensitivity is normal after any tooth has been worked on, especially if there has been tooth decay. Decay irritates the tooth, and working on that tooth irritates it further, to where it can cross the threshold into a painful sensitivity. If this is the only cause, expect the tooth to be getting gradually better, usually within a couple of days, but it can last for several months. As long as the tooth gradually improves, there should be no cause for alarm.  However, if you notice the tooth is gradually getting worse or do not feel as though it is getting any better, please come back into the office and let us evaluate the tooth.

How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?
You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits.  Regular dental exams and cleaning visits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums.  At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities.  Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health.

My filling is broken but my tooth doesn't hurt, should I come in and let the tooth be evaluated?
Absolutely,  the tooth could have decay where it broke and will begin to hurt if not restored due to the decay going into the nerve.  Once it reaches the nerve, you will have a toothache and will need a root canal or possible extraction.  If we can restore it before it gets to this point, we can help prevent it from getting worse. 

My tooth is hurting, do I need a root canal?
If, when the tooth is provoked, the toothache lingers for more than one or two seconds, the tooth almost certainly needs to be treated. For example, let's say your tooth is sensitive to cold. You drink cold water, and you get a sharp jab in your tooth. In that case, it may not need any treatment. But if that jab persists more than two seconds, see your dentist. You probably need a root canal treatment. 

Many people fear root canals. However, with recent technological advances, these appointments themselves are generally not painful, nor are they traumatic-there isn't a lot of grinding as there is with a filling or a dental crown. Most of the work is done with small hand instruments. And when the tooth is dead, which is often the case, it can even be done with no novocain. Root canal treatment often means the relief of toothache pain, and often that relief is immediate and dramatic. Extraction-taking a tooth out-is much more traumatic, from my experience as a dentist.  Please see our section on root canals under "Root Canal Therapy" on the "What We Offer" page.

My tooth hurts when I bite down, is that normal?
There are a number of reasons that can cause this.
-Inflammation of the gums.
-A cracked tooth.
-Sinus infection.
-Infection of the roots of the tooth.
This is only a few possible explanations.  If the sensation does not go away in a week, please come in and let us evaluate the problem.

What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?
Since teeth whitening has now become the number one esthetic concern of many patients, there are many products and methods available to achieve a brighter smile.

Professional teeth whitening, (or bleaching), is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel, and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.  Over-the-counter products are also available, but they are much less effective than professional treatments and may not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

It’s important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you’re a good candidate for bleaching.  Occasionally, tetracycline and fluorosis stains are difficult to bleach and your dentist may offer other options, such as veneers or crowns to cover up such stains.  Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is also important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. before bleaching begins.  Once the bleaching is done, your dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth.

Since teeth whitening is not permanent, a touch-up may be needed every several years to keep your smile looking bright.

Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity after having their teeth whitened.  This sensation is temporary and subsides shortly after you complete the bleaching process, usually within a few days to one week.

Do I need dental x-rays every year?
Dental X-rays help your dentist visualize diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissue that cannot be seen with a simple oral exam. In addition, X-rays help your dentist find and treat dental problems early in their development, which can potentially save you money, unnecessary discomfort, and maybe even your life.  Therefore, we recommend having bitewing x-rays once a year.  This will show us the cavities inbetween your teeth and allow us to check your fillings and crowns..  We recommend having a panoramic  x-ray every three years to get an overall picture of all of your teeth.