Dentine Hypersensitivity: Simple solutions for a common dental problem

Even though varying data exists regarding the occurrence of dentine hypersensitivity globally, clinical findings demonstrate that 1 in 5 people suffer from this dental condition. There are many factors why patients suffer from this. Some of the common causes of tooth sensitivity include tooth decay, worn out tooth enamel, cracked tooth, exposed root surface of the tooth due to gum disease or aggressive tooth brushing techniques leading to gum recession. Proper diagnosis of dentine hypersensitivity is the first step in addressing this common dental issue.

1. Get your teeth checked!  As mentioned earlier, proper diagnosis of this dental condition is the first step.
2. Your dentist may recommend a specially formulated toothpaste (e.g. Sensodyne) for use twice daily.  Its active ingredients have dual action:  primarily to provide a nerve calming effect, as well as initiate tooth protection through surface re-mineralization.
3. Dentist-supervised in-office dental products (e.g. high concentrated fluoride gel, varnish, mousse or desensitizers) can be applied by a dental health care professional.
4. If the conservative approach does not work, your dentist may recommend other treatment options depending on the cause of tooth sensitivity.