9 questions about sensitive tooth necks

1. What are sensitive tooth necks?
These are teeth or molars of which a piece of dentin is exposed. Teeth consist of a crown and a root. The neck of the tooth is the part where the crown merges into the root, at the level of the gum line. The crown is covered with enamel, the root has a layer of root cement as protection. Normally, the protective enamel extends to the gums. If the gums have receded, the soft root cement is exposed. This cement is easy to brush away. Then a piece of dentin is exposed and that can be sensitive.

2. How do you know you have it?
If you drink something hot or cold or eat something sour or sweet, you will feel a short, sharp pain. Sometimes even touching hurts. This is because the dentin contains canals that are connected to the nerve cavity inside the tooth or molar. You will not notice anything if the gums close the canals. If the gums have receded, warm, cold, sweet or sour stimuli will cause the moisture in those channels to move. That movement irritates the nerves and that is the cause of the pain.

3. What causes it?
Receding gums, exposing the dentin. Gums don’t just recede, they are usually inflamed due to poor oral hygiene.

4. Is it also due to a wrong brushing technique?
Yes that is possible. If you brush too vigorously, for too long or with too much pressure, or who use a toothbrush that is too hard, the gums can be scrubbed away, as it were. The enamel and root cement can also wear out from brushing too hard, especially if that happens with a toothpaste that contains too much abrasive. Toothpastes that promise whiter teeth sometimes have such an abrasive effect. Why don’t you brush? New! Because not brushing or brushing it incorrectly will irrevocably lead to inflamed gums, which will cause the gums to recede and thus increase the risk of sensitive tooth necks.

5. Does special toothpaste help?
There are indeed toothpastes to reduce the sensitivity of tooth necks. They contain certain substances that, as it were, lay a protective layer on the exposed dentine: they close the channels and reduce the nerve impulses. Examples are Sensodyne, Oral-B for sensitive teeth, Corsodyl Sensitive, Elmex-sensitive, Zendium dentin. Many people benefit from it, but unfortunately it does not work for everyone. Because the active ingredients differ per toothpaste, it is a matter of trying which one suits you best. Incidentally, it is not the case that the sensitivity disappears completely due to the special toothpastes.
Tip: apply the toothpaste directly to the neck of the tooth with a finger. That magnifies the effect.

6. What else can you do about it?
Keep brushing, even if it hurts. Brushing with toothpaste gives a protective layer on the teeth and that reduces the painful nerve stimulation. You can also adjust your diet. Limit the number of eating and drinking moments to seven times a day. Choose three main meals and a maximum of four snacks in between. Those with sensitive tooth necks should also be careful with foods and drinks that have a high acidity. These ‘sour’ products (which often taste sweet) weaken the exposed dentin. They dissolve the protective lubricant layer of the toothpaste, so that the channels open again and the painful stimuli pass through them more easily. Unfortunately, almost all drinks are acidic: soft drinks, sports drinks and especially fruit juices. But most red and white wines also have a high acidity. Only water, milk, coffee and tea (without sugar) are exceptions.
It is also advisable not to brush your teeth immediately after drinking a glass of cola, for example. Then you could easily brush away the softened dentin. Therefore, wait an hour before brushing your teeth after eating or drinking acidic products. The saliva has then neutralized the acids.

7. Do you have to take it to the dentist?
Tooth sensitivity does not go away on its own. Discuss your complaints with the dentist or dental hygienist during the next check-up. But if the pain is severe, it is better to make an appointment right away. The dentist can then give you appropriate advice. He usually recommends using a special toothpaste. Will the sensitivity persist? Then the dentist may advise you to rinse with a fluoride rinse. If that doesn’t help either, he can close the openings of the channels in the piece of exposed dentin with a fluoride varnish. In case of serious complaints, the dentist will cover the sensitive neck of the tooth with a special filling material.

8. Is one more likely than the other?
It is not that one person has more ‘predisposition’ for it than the other. Sensitive tooth necks are only caused by receding gums and that can happen to anyone. It is true that exposed tooth necks are not always equally sensitive. Some people suffer more from it than others.

9. How can you prevent it?
With good brushing technique and oral hygiene you can prevent inflamed and receding gums and therefore also sensitive tooth necks. To remove all plaque, brush for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Use a soft toothbrush and do not apply too much pressure while brushing. Just holding the toothbrush loosely at the end between your thumb and fingertips is enough. Brush carefully and also clean the spaces between teeth with toothpicks, dental floss or brushes.

Thanks to the Ivory Cross: www.ivorenkruis.nl