Most people’s dental anxiety stems from their fear of pain and discomfort. We never want you to miss a checkup or cleaning at Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne because of stress, so let us know any time you’re feeling anxious. We can eliminate your fear and the threat of discomfort with a combination of sedation dentistry and our standard usage of advanced dental tools and technology.
Dental scaling is cited as most patients’ least favorite part of a cleaning. However, it is critical for maintaining a healthy mouth. The best way to minimize the scaling experience is to floss your teeth daily. Less tartar build up means your future appointments will be quicker and smoother.
Some patients avoid the dentist due to teeth sensitivity, but this is actually the opposite action it calls for. Sensitive teeth need to be checked right away for damage or decay so that treatment can be started if necessary. Let’s take a closer look at this issue:
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Tooth sensitivity is among the common causes of a toothache. The phrase “tooth sensitivity” refers to tooth discomfort or feelings of toothache in one or more teeth. The pain of tooth sensitivity is usually sharp, sudden and shooting. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the layer of a tooth underneath the enamel (called the dentin) or the layer covering the root (called cementum) is exposed along the gum line due to receding gums. The exposed areas respond to hot and cold, and sometimes too sweet and spicy foods, and trigger pain.
Some factors which can contribute to tooth sensitivity include:
- Overzealous brushing: You can have too much of a good thing. Brushing your teeth with too much force, or with a hard-bristle toothbrush, may wear down tooth enamel, expose the cementum or dentin and cause tooth sensitivity.
- Tooth grinding: Grinding your teeth can cause the enamel to wear away and leave the dentin exposed.
- Dental cleanings or treatments.
- Temporary tooth sensitivity: which can occur after a professional teeth-whitening treatment, but usually goes away shortly after the procedure ends.
- Gum disease: Inflamed gum tissue pulls away from the tooth, leaving vulnerable areas exposed.
If you are exhibiting any signs or symptoms of tooth sensitivity, visit your dental professional immediately for a proper assessment. Discover more, compliments of Oral B
Talk To Our Compassionate Team
We can secure your smile and your peace of mind, we just need to know that you’re having a problem. Once you tell us about your dental fears and concerns, we will find the right solution for your needs. You might be surprised by some of the ways we can improve your experience.
For instance, if you’re a woman, did you know that booking your appointment away from your menstrual cycle can help with sensitivity? It’s true: Your gums may be prone to extra bleeding or sensitivity during hormonal fluctuations. Hormones can affect your dental health in other ways, as well. Learn more below:
Hormones & Your Oral Health
You may be surprised to learn that hormone surges may make you more vulnerable to gum disease. Here’s why: More female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) cause more blood to flow to your gums, which causes them to become more sensitive and “overreact” to anything that may irritate them. “Women are more sensitive to the presence of plaque and bacteria around the gums when the hormone levels are high,” says ADA dentist Dr. Sally Cram. “This can cause your gums to become inflamed, swell and bleed. If left untreated, ongoing inflammation in the gums can also lead to bone loss around the teeth and eventual tooth loss.”
Your Period
You may not notice any change in your mouth in the days before your period. (If fact, most women don’t). But if you have swollen gums, bleeding gums, canker sores or swollen salivary glands, hormones may be to blame. These symptoms should subside after your period stops — but if they don’t, then the increased bleeding by your gums is signaling something else. Talk to your dentist if you have questions about how your monthly cycle and apparent health of your gums are related.
Stay on top of your daily dental health routine, and if you find you have more sensitivity than usual before or during your period, schedule cleanings for about a week after it ends. Read more, compliments of Mouth Healthy
With the early stages of gum disease often going undetected by patients, it is helpful to have the experienced eyes of your dentist and dental hygienist available to keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
If it has been a while since you’ve had a complete dental exam, contact Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne today to schedule a visit with Dr. Robert Harrell. He is recognized as one of the city’s top dentists year-after-year by Charlotte magazine. Call Adult Dentistry today at 704-541-9888 or use the contact form on our website to make an appointment.
