sensitive teeth

[monalisa12]

my teeth are sensitive and I think its due to over brushing them. I want good clean teeth and gums. I am seeing hygenist again net week

I wear a mouthguard for clenching. Initially it was really uncomfortable and made me gag, but I built up to it by wearing it in the evenings watching TV, and actually used a timer so I could say “only another ten minutes then I can take it out!”. Now I can’t sleep without it. Your dentist can also adjust the fit.

Honestly from what you are writing (and I don't claim to be a dental expert but I triage dental problems and have to be able to refer people to a dentist describing what the problem is) it sounds like you have shifted some of the plaque from gum disease and the gums have not yet tightened around around the teeth so you continue to have areas with less enamel exposed.

When you brush do you have bleeding? And if your gums bleed do you brush until they stop?

What toothbrush do you have? What toothpaste do you have? Are you rinsing your mouth/using mouthwash after you brush?

I've not tried it yet but my dentist has done me a prescription for high fluoride toothpaste to help with sensitivity 😁

Hello fruit cider

thanks for your reply. I use an battery operated toothbrush and sensitive toothpaste. I never used to bother with mouthwash but it makes my mouth feel good and i have been advise to use flouriguard mouth rinse.

Fruiit Cider

I forgot to say that I do not have bleeding when I brush but a bit when I floss or use interdental brushes but not so much as before

Ok I saw the hygienist and there was an improvement in my gums. As to the sensitivity she said as we get older our gums recede and mine have receded and nerves are exposed and before the exposed bits were covered in plaque so they were not as exposed as they are now. She said brush withh sensodyne and do not rinse after and use floriguard in the afternoon at work and then brush again at night Ruth sensodyne without rinsing. I know people older than me who have not got receding gums and sensitivity but I’m afraid I’m going for a second opinion because I really can’t cope with this any longer it is absolutely ruining my life

I'd be inclined to agree with the hygienist, and it is very important not to rinse after brushing your teeth as you wash the fluoride off. Your gums will grow back down again in time, but it does take time x

thanks

I thought once gums recede then that is it for the rest of your life? The hygenist did not say they would grow back down and when I asked her to have a look at the one tooth which the dentist said had enamel worn off she had a look and said well in the type of voice that meant she was not sure if the enamel had worn off and then she said if you have issues with that tooth go back to the dentist. I was quite upset at her attitude because I wanted her to say yes your dentist is right you do have enamel loss or no I do not think so. After the appointment I came home and my teeth were still quite sensitive so I called NHS 111 and when they rang me back they asked if I had been given an xray and I said no because the dentist said I have no problem with my teeth (no cavities) and the only problem she could see was wear and tear from the one at the front so I said what can you do about it and she said nothing at the moment. Blimey why cant she crown it because obviously if it has lost enamel then a crown would act as a barrier over the tooth and protect it but when the hygenist scaled my teeth that one where the dentist assumes has enamel loss would be very sensitive to any scale an polish and when I questioned the hygenist as to why my teeth are only sensitive one side of my mouth she said she had no idea. I was disappointed and booked an emergency dental appointment for tonight through 111 but the appointmet was too far away by public transport so I said no and my pain only flares up when exposed to heat so I wanted to leave that appointment for someone who is in pain 24/7 with an infection. I had to laugh to myself this evening because when I washed my hair and used the hair dryer the heat from drying my hair set my teeth off.

I am now drinking tea through a straw which does help ease the pain slightly

Fruit Cider

what makes you think receding gums grow back? I googled and google said this

While receding gums don't grow back on their own, you can talk to your dentist or periodontist about the number of treatments available to correct the issue and prevent it from getting worse.

From my own experience once the plaque was removed it tightened around the tooth again and did eventually move back down to its own level, maybe I'm unique then 😊

maybe but its not usual for gums to grow back I think I am going to get a second opinion from another practice because after my second scale and polish I find even eating a sandwich painful. Something is not right and for the amount of money I pay to my practice I do not feel I am getting the best treatment (not or this issue anyway)

Let me know how you get on with your new dentist

If the sensitivity is caused by receding gums then I'm not sure what another dentist can do for you? I can see why they are reluctant to crown a perfectly good tooth, crowning comes with risks...

There are generally a number of causes of sensitivity.

1. Gum recession - possibly due to improvement of your gum inflammation recently
2. Bruxism or grinding/clenching - you also have symptoms of this
3. Dietary acid erosion - check your diet, google acidic foods and drinks

Sensitive formula toothpastes will help, fluoride mouthwash will help over time. Have you tried painkillers your teeth may be inflamed ( the nerves become sensitive to temperature). Ibuprofen will help reduce the inflammation and they will become less sensitive. Bruxing is a reaction to stress, try to worry less about the cause and it may settle spontaneously.

I am still going to get a second opinion because I do not think the hygienist I’ve got is that good and quite frankly I do not want to see her again

I have a dental appointment on Wednesday to get a second opinion as the sensitivity is worse and the hygienist suggestion is NOT doing any goid

hi monalisa I started a thread about sensitive teeth a few weeks ago and got some great advice - I'm still waiting to get my appointment at the dental hospital... what resonated with me when reading your post was the pain on one side only - which is also what I'm experiencing.

Anyway, here's my thread and as I say - some very interesting and knowledgeable advice here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/3438126-Constant-pain-with-teeth

Hi Peeved

Thanks. I have read through your thread and to be honest the people on the thread sound worse than me. When I was 18 or 19 I had acute pain on the left hand side of my mouth. I had my teeth checked and the dentist diagnosed neuralgia. I honestly cannot remember how long it lasted but I was in a lot of pain. It eventually disappeared. Someone said on your thread that they have had pain for 18 months. When I had neuralgia all those years ago it certainly did not last that long and I wish I could remember how long it did last. Probably a month or two and it disappeared as suddenly as it came which was odd and never came back and I was never referred to a dental hospital or specialist. My pain comes and goes and at this moment in time I am not in pain. I had some food which I gently heated so it was warm but not hot and it did not affect my mouth but on other occasions warm food is quite painful so no two days are the same. Mine started after a routine scale and polish and the only thing the hygenist said was that I had gums that had receded that had been cleaned and exposed whereas before they were covered in debris. I said to her do you think I have overdone the brushing by being a bit too enthusiastic and she said you cannot ever over brush your teeth which is rubbish because you can just like you can over floss your teeth and damage your gums. So on the one hand I have been very good and my gums have improved and are in a much better state and the dentist and the hygenist are pleased but now I am in this pain. What would you rather have? a dirty mouth and no pain or a clean mouth and pain? And they do say no gain without pain.