Your mouth has many ways of letting you know that something has changed or may be wrong. Nevertheless, when we ask patients whether anything is bothering them about their smile, we find out they’ve been dealing with symptoms for a while! If you have any of the symptoms described below, please make an appointment to come see us so we can make sure we keep your smile happy and healthy.

Toothache or Other Oral Pain

Perhaps it should be obvious that pain sometimes your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong, and the same is true of your mouth. You should not ignore tooth pain, especially if it is persistent and lasts for several days. Toothaches could be the sign of decay, a cracked tooth, or an infection. One thing we know is that oral pain isn’t something that usually gets better on its own. It’s worth a trip to the dentist to investigate the problem as soon as possible.

Bleeding Gums When Brushing or Flossing

We find that some patients have heard conflicted messages on this topic. Bleeding gums is common, but that does not mean that it is normal. If you notice blood when you brush or floss, that may be an early sign of gingivitis or gum disease. Take it as a sign that you need to have a conversation with the dentist about your oral health habits and what can be done to get your gums back to full health.

Tooth Sensitivity That Doesn’t Go Away

Occasional tooth sensitivity is not necessarily a sign of a big problem, but you should discuss your symptoms with your dentist no matter what. Sensitivity to hot, cold or sugary foods can be a sign of tooth decay. However, tooth sensitivity can also come and go naturally over time. If you have persistent trouble with sensitivity, you may be damaging your enamel by brushing too hard. A chat with the dentist about your tooth sensitivity is a good way to come up with a plan to address this issue so you can go back to enjoying all the foods and drinks you love without discomfort.

If you have any question at all about your oral health, don’t wait to have a conversation with us. Dentistry works the same way as most other things in life: if you think something is wrong, it will be easier (and usually cheaper) to fix if you take care of it early, rather than ignoring it and letting it get worse! We won’t chastise you for not taking good care of your mouth or tell you that you did something wrong. Instead, we will do our best to make sure your teeth are healthy and functional.

Many millions of people suffer from tooth sensitivity at some point in their life, usually in the form of tooth pain in reaction to heat or cold. Tooth sensitivity has many causes, some more easily fixed than others. However, it’s important to know that tooth sensitivity is sometimes a sign of a more serious dental problem of condition. What follows are the basics of what you should know about having sensitive teeth.

First, we need to have an understanding of how teeth are constructed. The hard, shiny outer layer of your teeth is called enamel. This layer protects the softer, porous layer below, which is called dentin. On the part of your tooth that is rooted in your gums, the dentin is protected by a thin, hard layer called cementum. Inside the center of your tooth is the root canal, which contains a substance called the pulp, made up of nerves & blood vessels.

Tooth pain or sensitivity occurs when dentin is somehow exposed & heat or cold is able to penetrate through it & irritate your tooth’s nerve. Wearing away of enamel & cementum, along with receding gums, can cause dentin to become exposed.

You can wear away enamel a few ways:

• Bacteria build-up from poor oral hygiene can cause enamel erosion & decay.
• Brushing too hard or with a toothbrush with hard bristles.
• Eating or drinking highly acidic foods such as soft drinks or energy drinks.
• Grinding your teeth while you sleep.

In addition to erosion, tooth sensitivity can also be caused by a crack or a cavity in your tooth that you may not have realized is there yet. If you have persistent, intense sensitivity that doesn’t go away for a few days, come see as soon as you can so we can look for decay or damage.

The same goes for old fillings that may have become loose or developed tooth decay around them. Fluids can get under & around the filling & irritate the nerve through the dentin. If you find that a tooth with a filling has become extra sensitive, you should also come to the dental clinic immediately so we can see if the filling needs to be replaced.

Some people also experience tooth sensitivity after dental procedures, particularly professional teeth whitening or bleaching. People with hypersensitive teeth can also be irritated by the chemicals in some tooth whitening toothpastes.

Tooth sensitivity is also a notable symptom of gum disease. When you have gum disease, your gums can start to pull away or recede from your teeth, leaving the dentin exposed.

Often the best treatment for tooth sensitivity is a change in your habits & oral care routine. If you brush too hard or use a hard bristle toothbrush, switch to a soft bristle brush & try to brush less aggressively. If you’re irritated by a whitening toothpaste, try switching to an anti-sensitivity toothpaste that also contains fluoride, which helps remineralized & strengthen tooth enamel. With these changes, your tooth sensitivity will decrease & likely disappear over time.

If you still experience a level of sensitivity that bothers you, please talk to us. We may be able to offer you treatments, such as a topical anti-sensitivity paste, that can help.