Sensitive teeth can introduce a variety of struggles into your life. They can especially impact how you feel about visiting the dentist, as even routine visits can come with pain and discomfort. However, it doesn’t have to be that way.
If you have sensitive teeth, sedation dentistry may be the game changer you need to make pain during dental visits a thing of the past.
Common Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
You’re far from alone if you’re facing tooth sensitivity. About 42% of people report some level of tooth sensitivity. It can arise from a variety of potential causes. Enamel protects your smile but can wear away due to enamel erosion. When it does, it exposes the more sensitive layers underneath and leaves your teeth more vulnerable.
Various dental conditions can lead to serious tooth sensitivity. Cavities and tooth decay can expose the inner layers of the tooth, putting them at risk. You could also have increased sensitivity due to gum disease, which can cause your gums to recede and expose highly sensitive tooth roots.
Physical damage to your teeth is another potential cause of serious tooth sensitivity. Cracks or chips expose the inner layers of the tooth and can lead to sharp pain when biting or chewing. That exposure can lead to infection as well, which may only make the problem worse.
How Sensitivity Impacts Your Life
Living with tooth sensitivity can pose some serious challenges. For example, it can impact your everyday life by making simple activities like eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth potential sources of pain. You can find yourself avoiding foods or drinks you enjoy in order to avoid the discomfort.
Tooth sensitivity also leads to dental anxiety in many patients. The fear of pain during a dental treatment may cause you to avoid routine visits or even important dental treatments. This creates a vicious cycle where your oral health and tooth sensitivity only continue to get worse as you avoid visiting the dentist.
The emotional impact that tooth sensitivity has on your life can be severe as well. Without proper dental care, you may find yourself self-conscious about your smile, potentially avoiding social interactions. That lack of confidence can affect your relationships and overall quality of life.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry offers a potential solution to the challenges that can come with tooth sensitivity. A variety of different medications can be used during dental treatment to keep you relaxed and numb any pain or discomfort.
Sedation dentistry is widely used to manage dental anxiety in general and can be highly effective for those with tooth sensitivity. Your dentist can customize your sedation dentistry experience to suit your unique needs.
A variety of different options are available, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. Each has its own uses that can address the needs of a wide range of patients. You can discuss your concerns in detail with your dentist to find the perfect sedation dentistry option for you.
How Sedation Dental Treatment Helps Those With Sensitive Teeth
Sedation dentistry works to numb pain, which is why it’s frequently used in many dental treatments, such as fillings, crowns, extractions, and root canals. If you experience tooth sensitivity that causes routine procedures to be painful, sedation dentistry can prevent that pain.
You’ll also enjoy a much more relaxing experience with sedation dentistry. The sedative works to keep you calm and relaxed throughout, taking your mind off of treatments that would normally be distressing. This also lets the dentist work efficiently, carrying out your procedure more quickly and effectively.
Being able to visit the dentist and enjoy a positive and painless experience can help you overcome dental anxiety related to tooth sensitivity. This can break the cycle of fear and avoidance that keeps you from getting the care you need. You can then enjoy a wide range of long-term oral health benefits, including avoiding more invasive treatment requirements.
Your dentist will tailor your sedation dentistry treatment plan based on a variety of criteria to best suit your needs. The extent and severity of your tooth sensitivity, your current oral health, and your medical history all play a part in determining the most effective sedation dentistry option.
Mild cases typically call for nitrous oxide, which provides effective relaxation and calming throughout the procedure. Oral and IV sedation are stronger, providing a solution for patients with severe discomfort or other factors that may affect their treatment experience.
An Effective Solution and Anxiety-Free Experience for You
Is tooth sensitivity keeping you from getting the dental care you need in Georgia? You can visit Dr. Brett Langston at Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists to discuss your concerns and discover a variety of sedation treatment options. Schedule an appointment today to get started.
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