Having sensitive teeth can be a major inconvenience, making eating and drinking unpleasant. Many people look for solutions to prevent further damage to their teeth as a result of the discomfort that tooth sensitivity causes.
Sensitive teeth can be treated with dental sealants. Because of the pain or discomfort caused by cold, hot, or sweet meals or drinks, people with sensitive teeth typically have trouble eating and drinking. When these people clean or floss their teeth, they experience discomfort.
Dental decay, gum disease, and chipped teeth are potential causes of dental sensitivity. The main reason is that enamel wears away over time, exposing the more vulnerable dentin and pulp.
Understanding Teeth Sensitivity
Let’s talk briefly about tooth sensitivity before we get into dental sealants. Damage to the tooth’s enamel exposes the dentin below, which normally shields the tooth’s nerve endings. Tooth sensitivity can be caused by several things, including enamel degradation, receding gums, decay, and grinding teeth. As a result of the exposed dentin, the nerves become extremely sensitive to temperature changes, sweet foods and drinks, and even chilly air.
What Are Dental Sealants?
As a preventive measure, dentists may apply a thin, protective coating called a dental sealant to the chewing surfaces of the rear teeth (molars and premolars). These sealants, often made of a plastic that adheres to the tooth’s surface, protect the tooth from harmful substances and reduce sensitivity. The process takes little time, causes no discomfort, and necessitates neither drilling nor anesthetic.
How Is A Dental Sealant Applied To A Tooth?
After the tooth has been cleaned and dried, the dentist will paint it with a liquid sealant. You can use this combination to fill the spaces between your teeth. Once the sealant has been applied, a dental light will cure it. The sealant material can bond to the tooth’s surface, giving the tooth the necessary defense it needs.
In addition to not requiring weeks of downtime, sealants can be cured in just a minute. For the first few days after the treatment, it is best to avoid eating anything too tough or sticky so that the sealant has time to set.
However, you should inspect the sealants on your teeth before each dental appointment, and if they look worn, your dentist can always put new ones over the existing ones.
What Benefits Do Dental Sealants Provide?
The primary benefit of dental sealants is that they protect teeth from decay, but they can also help with sensitivity. Dental sealants can aid in the following ways:
1. Protection against Sensitivity Triggers:
Tooth sensitivity can be prevented using dental sealants, a physical barrier to protect the tooth’s enamel from harmful temperatures and acids. Sealants can help minimize or eliminate tooth sensitivity by protecting teeth from direct contact with these irritants.
2. Enamel Protection:
The enamel, the hard outer covering of teeth, is further protected by dental sealants. When the protective covering of enamel wears away, the sensitive dentin underneath becomes more exposed. Sealants protect the enamel from further degradation and assist in reducing tooth sensitivity.
3. Long-Term Solution:
When properly cared for and checked at regular intervals by a dentist, dental sealants can endure for years. Because of how long they persist, they are a good choice for people needing long-term dental sensitivity treatment.
4. Prevention of Decay-Induced Sensitivity:
Sensitivity can be caused by cavities or tooth decay. The deep grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are successfully sealed off by dental sealants, preventing the accumulation of food particles and bacteria that lead to decay. Sealants can provide great comfort since they work to alleviate sensitivity at their source.
Alternatives to fluoride for sensitive teeth
Sensitivity in the teeth is more of an effect than a cause of any underlying dental condition. The problem should be solved permanently if at all possible. To give only one illustration:
- When gum recession causes tooth sensitivity, gum contouring can fix the problem.
- Sensitivity is caused by cavities, which need to be filled, and oral hygiene practices should be improved.
- Thin, decayed enamel can be mineralized and strengthened with regular fluoride treatments.
- A mouth guard can protect teeth from being ground down due to grinding.
- Dentists may employ one of these methods when treating very sensitive teeth. The treatment approach may also include the application of a dental sealant.
Get over your sensitivity and move on.
If you have sensitive teeth, ice cream and other sweets are out of the question. When you have sensitivity, it’s not only difficult to eat but also to brush your teeth. Fortunately, our dentist can help you permanently resolve dental sensitivity by treating the underlying problem. If you need dental sealant for sensitive teeth, schedule an appointment with our Virginia family dentist.
