The real cause of tooth sensitivity and how to treat it

Tooth sensitivity is not an independent disease, but a common symptom of various dental diseases, such as cracked teeth, wedge-shaped defects, enamel wear, alveolar bone atrophy and other oral diseases, all of which will have clinical symptoms of tooth sensitivity , Therefore, it is not advisable to solve all types of tooth sensitivity simply by relying on a desensitizing toothpaste.

The following will briefly talk about the pathogenesis of tooth sensitivity and common treatment methods.

Teeth are composed of enamel, dentin, and pulp (from the outside to the inside).

There are no blood vessels and nerves in the enamel, so the enamel is unconscious.

Dentin is an empty tube structure, and the dentinal tubules contain fluid and nerves. External stimuli such as cold and heat can irritate the internal pulp through the dentinal tubules, resulting in sensitive pain.

Not much to say about the pulp, which itself is composed of neurovascular and hoof tissue, and is super sensitive. If external stimuli directly contact the pulp, it will cause severe pain.

The common cause of tooth sensitivity is the defect (incompleteness) of the enamel. External stimuli can directly contact the dentin. There are fluid and nerves in the dentinal tubules. External stimuli stimulate the pulp along the dentinal tubules, resulting in tooth sensitivity. pain.

If it is a shallow wedge-shaped defect, root exposure caused by gingival recession (the root is not covered with enamel), etc., the use of desensitizing toothpaste for such sensitive teeth will have a certain effect.

However, if it is tooth sensitivity caused by large tooth defects such as deep cavities, cracked teeth, and deep wedge-shaped defects, it is recommended to go to the dentist for corresponding examination and treatment in time, and must not be delayed to avoid more serious consequences.

We often say desensitizing toothpaste, desensitizing drugs, or adhesive desensitization, etc., the principle is to block the dentinal tubules to reduce or avoid the flow of liquid in the dentinal tubules, so as to block the flow of external stimuli to the dental pulp. transmission, thereby alleviating dentin sensitivity.

(blocked dentinal tubules)

1. Blockage of dentinal tubules.

Strontium chloride:

(1) Clinically, 10% strontium chloride toothpaste is commonly used to brush teeth.

(2) Topically apply 75% strontium chloride glycerin or 25% strontium chloride liquid.

Principle: Strontium ions penetrate into the dentinal tubules to form coagulation with protein, deposit in the dentinal tubules, and block the dentinal tubules, thereby blocking the conduction of external stimuli to the dental pulp.

Fluoride:

(1) 0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate gel (pH=6) can maintain the effective fluorine concentration, which is the best among the current fluorides.

(2) Repeatedly rub the sensitive area with 75% sodium fluoride glycerin for 1 to 2 minutes.

(3) 2% sodium fluoride solution iontophoresis.

(4) Stannous fluoride.

Rationale: Fluoride ions can reduce the diameter of dentinal tubules, thereby reducing hydraulic transmission. In vitro experiments have also proved that: acidified sodium fluoride solution or 2% neutral sodium fluoride solution can reduce the hydraulic conduction by 24.5% and 17.9% respectively; the hydraulic conductance reduced by sodium fluoride solution iontophoresis is as high as 33%

Aldehydes and phenols:

(1) Glutaraldehyde

(2) 25% thymol spirit

(3) Formaldehyde spirit

Principle: It has the effect of antisepsis and disinfection. After penetrating into the dentinal tubules, the protein denatures and solidifies to block the dentinal tubules.

2. Reduce the sensitivity of the pulp nerve

Potassium nitrate, potassium oxalate, potassium chloride, potassium citrate, potassium fluoride, etc.

Principle: Increase the concentration of extracellular potassium ions at nerve endings, depolarize and reduce excitability.

There are many ways to treat tooth sensitivity clinically, such as drug treatment, laser desensitization, electronic (ion) desensitization, adhesive restoration treatment, microwave treatment, cryotherapy, ultraviolet light, electrocoagulation, etc.

However, there is no perfect solution to tooth sensitivity. Most operations can only relieve tooth sensitivity, and the desensitization effect is not long-lasting.

For tooth sensitivity caused by simple dentin exposure, desensitizing toothpaste is still the most economical and affordable way to desensitize teeth. If it is not good, it is recommended to go to the dentist in time to seek help from a doctor, find out the cause of tooth sensitivity, and use other methods for desensitization.