Do My Sensitive Teeth Mean I Have Cavities?

Do you have sensitive teeth? Do they ache or sting, especially when you consume hot or cold foods and drinks? A variety of factors could lead to aches and sensitivity, including the presence of dental cavities. How do you know when to see your Dallas, TX, dentist? Can you take steps to avoid the onset of tooth decay and tooth sensitivity?

The Causes of Sensitive Teeth

Did you know that allergies or sinus infections could cause a tooth to ache? Likewise, changes in air pressure, such as visiting locations at higher elevations or riding in an airplane, could also cause aches to occur. However, the discomfort will pass after a few hours. When a toothache or sensitivity persists for over 48 hours, then you may have more than a sinus infection. Poor oral hygiene, plaque buildup, and a diet high in sugary foods and drinks may have weakened your outer layer of tooth enamel, eroding it and exposing the inner tooth structure to bacteria. The teeth become sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks, as well as cold outside temperatures. The issue will grow more severe as the decay grows and spreads through the tooth. Eventually, an infection or abscess could develop!

Possible Treatment Options

If you have tooth sensitivity, we will examine your smile to pinpoint the cause. If we discover cavities, then we may place a filling to stop the cavity and discomfort. We may also recommend toothpaste choices and better home care to reduce sensitivity and improve your overall oral hygiene. Our goal is to preserve your natural teeth and help you avoid discomfort, so don’t ignore aches and sensitivity, allowing an issue to grow more severe, let us know right away!

Preventing Dental Pain

You can take steps to avoid dental pain. For example, be sure to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride to strengthen outer enamel, and also use a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent inadvertent damage to the enamel if you brush too hard. Be sure you floss in between your teeth every night before bed, and cut back on the consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Make time to see us every six months so we can examine your smile and perform a cleaning, which removes all plaque from the surface of your teeth. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our team today.

Gentle Smiles Family Offers Restorative Care

We want to help our patients enjoy better oral health, which means preventing dental cavities from forming. To learn more about our approach to treating dental cavities, then please contact us today by calling 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE) to schedule an appointment with your Dallas, TX, dentist!