Dentist - sensitive teeth problem

coldstreamalways

Oh dear, I am a dental surgeon and in your post you said you know you didn't do enough with regard to flossing. So do you or don't you?

Toothsmith

joyfull wrote: »

Thanks Brookjack. I don't smoke & keep teeth very clean. Infact I've been told by dentists that the receeding gums are the product of over rigorous brushing. Many moons ago a dentist told me to brush back teeth properly or lose them. I guess I went overboard!

Anyway I appreciate the advice and take it all on board.

Hmmmmm.

Oversensitive teeth and gum recession due to 'overvigerous brushing'.

There is a type of gum recession where the teeth appear spotlessly clean. This is often blamed on 'overvigerous brushing'. Personally I don't believe it though. All the patients I have seen like this I would put the gum recession down to a tooth-grinding problem.

When you factor in the general over-sensitivity of your teeth as well, I would be willing to bet someone elses house on you having such a problem.

Ask your dentist to consider it next time you go, as maybe something as simple as a night bite guard might stop the problem completely.

belfastgirl23

If tooth grinding might be an issue for you, it's worth taking some rescue remedy before sleeping. This was recommended to a friend of mine by his dentist - I am also a periodic tooth grinder and think it does help a little...

As a PS I think you shouldn't use mouth wash after brushing if you're using sensitive toothpaste - it washes away the active ingredients. Not sure if this is you or not but it's what I've been doing for ages and just realised my mistake a few days ago - apparently you shouldn't even rinse properly, just a little...

joyfull

I certain I'm not a grinder. Maybe a few decades ago, but not now. I'm 54 and the receeding gum problem has been there a long time. I will mention the possibility of grinding to my dentist when I next go though. I'm not a mouthwash user either, find it too strong and, for me, unnecessary.

I'll keep slathering on the sensitive toothpaste & use painkillers before a dental visit. The rescue remedy is a good idea too - before a visit. It's wonderful stuff and definitely has a calming effect. Off topic, but it completely cured my bunny's nasal infection - overnight, which the vet had told me was there for the remainder of her life.

Teerah

joyfull wrote: »

I certain I'm not a grinder. Maybe a few decades ago, but not now...

If I had a quid for every time a patient swears they're not a grinder when they are...well I'd still have to work but you get my point, I've not been wrong yet

Toothsmith

Teerah wrote: »

If I had a quid for every time a patient swears they're not a grinder when they are...well I'd still have to work but you get my point, I've not been wrong yet

Same here.

It's only when you make a bite guard and they have a few weeks of NOT doing it that they realise the difference!

joyfull

Thank you for the diagnosis of teeth grinding. If this were correct then further damage could be prevented. However, this still leaves me with the problem of extreme discomfort when jets of cold water hit my teeth and gums at the dentist.

I was interested in what a dentist would do when faced with a patient with this problem to alleviate the discomfort.

welshdent

for sensitivity? seal and protect and duraphat application normally .. I prefer seal and protect myself

Toothsmith

joyfull wrote: »

Thank you for the diagnosis of teeth grinding. If this were correct then further damage could be prevented. However, this still leaves me with the problem of extreme discomfort when jets of cold water hit my teeth and gums at the dentist.

I was interested in what a dentist would do when faced with a patient with this problem to alleviate the discomfort.

It could easily happen that a few weeks after wearing a bite guard, the sensitivity could disappear too.

It's the over-stressing of the teeth during the clenching/grinding at night that causes them to be sensitive during the day.

Stop the forces that are going through them and the sensitivity will calm down.

(This is all just a guess in your case, as obviously, I've not seen you - but the signs and symptoms as you describe them do seem to fit the pattern.)

flossyblog

I had problems with receding gums. My dental hygienist took swabs for tests. They came back positive, I was prescribed antibiotics for a week.