Sensitive Teeth? Don't blame your toothbrush!

Dentists have always known that some adults, particularly older people have teeth that are painfully sensitive to heat and cold. And for years, they believed hard
toothbrushes and aggressive brushing were to blame.

Today, though, we understand that most often the problem
is excessive lateral stress on the neck of the tooth caused by either
a bite problem or by clenching and grinding your teeth.

Flexing and Breaking

Simply stated, when you bite down you exert several hundred pounds
of pressure per square inch. That’s not a problem if your bite is perfect.
But if it’s even a little off, it can cause your teeth to flex.

That IS a problem because while the dentin inside your tooth can
flex a bit, the brittle enamel on the surface can’t. And over time,
that can cause the enamel to sheer off, leaving a wedge-shaped
indentation we call an abfraction.

Once that happens, teeth can become painfully sensitive. Inn addition,
an abfraction puts you at increased risk of cavities because the exposed root of the tooth is 700% softer than enamel and more prone to acid erosion and decay. ABfractions can even
lead to a tooth breaking.

End the Pain and Danger

Fortunately, there are solutions for abfractions. If not too much of the outer wall broke off, a bonded filling can be placed to replace the enamel to end sensitivity. If too much of the outer wall is gone, you may need a porcelain crown to repair and strengthen the tooth. Making sure your bite is properly aligned to keep more abfractions from happening
and creating a custom night guard to protect all your teeth while you sleep will eliminate this ongoing problem.  You can stop worrying and start enjoying all
the foods and drinks you love.

For more information, you can contact Dr. Michael Krochak at

drk@nycsmilespa.com

NYC Smile Spa

30 E. 60th St., Rm 1201

New York, NY 10022

(212) 838-2900