If you have ever eaten ice cream and experienced a jolt of pain in your tooth, you know the discomfort of tooth sensitivity. This condition can be debilitating, but you may not notice it if you avoid cold or sugary foods.
Even if you consider the pain tolerable, you should contact your dentist if your teeth feel sensitive. Dr. Sulekha Agrawal, a dentist located in Columbia, MD, describes the importance of seeking emergency dental care for tooth sensitivity symptoms.
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
Enamel covers the surface of your teeth, but under this layer is dentin, which contains nerves that send pain signals to your brain when stimulated. If the enamel has eroded, dentin becomes exposed, and you may experience painful tooth sensitivity symptoms.
Tooth enamel can wear away for many reasons, including poor oral hygiene and harsh brushing techniques. Once it is gone, it cannot regrow on its own. Your dentist can help alleviate these symptoms, though treatment will likely depend on the specific causation of your condition.
Is Tooth Sensitivity a Dental Emergency?
Tooth pain of any kind is abnormal, and you should let your dentist know as soon as possible if you experience this. They will likely recommend that you schedule an emergency dentist appointment.
Although you may think you can withstand tooth sensitivity pain, this symptom could signify a larger dental problem that requires intervention from a dental professional. For this reason, you should not ignore this issue.
What Treatment Can I Expect for Sensitivity?
For mild cases of tooth sensitivity, your dentist might recommend that you brush your teeth with specialized toothpaste that offers sensitivity protection. If sensitivity symptoms are caused by cavities, your dentist can treat the issue with dental fillings.
More severe cases of tooth decay or enamel erosion may require treatment with a dental crown. The crown can replace weakened enamel, shielding exposed dentin and alleviating sensitivity pain. Crowns can last for fifteen years with proper care and maintenance.
Emergency Dentistry Services in Columbia, MD
Columbia Family Dental Care offers emergency dentistry services and other general dental treatments to patients in Columbia, MD. Dr. Agrawal also specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with our practice, contact us online or reach our office by phone at 410.221.3097.