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Do you avoid eating hot or cold foods because of the sensitivity you experience in your teeth when you do so? You could possibly have hyper-sensitive teeth (also known as dentine hypersensitivity).

What causes tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity can stem from a number of different causes but is usually characterised by pain coming from exposed dentine – the hard dense bony tissue that sits beneath the enamel. Your teeth are primarily made up of layers, including the outer layers of enamel and cementum and an inner layer of dentine which surrounds the nerve of the tooth. The dentine layer contains microscopic tubules filled with fluid and small nerve endings and receptors. When your teeth lose their protective outer layers it can expose the dentine tubules to different stimuli, which can evoke pain in the tooth. These stimuli may include:

• Changes in temperature, such as exposure to cold air, or ice cold drinks
• Acidic foods and drink, like lemons or soft drink
• Brushing your teeth

Conditions which may lead to exposure of the dentine and hypersensitive teeth include;

• Tooth erosion from highly acidic foods and drinks
• Fractured teeth/trauma
• Fillings that have worn down or been lost
• Dental decay
• Aggressive brushing causing enamel to wear
• Grinding your teeth
• Receding gums that expose the root’s surface
• Tooth enamel defects

Can sensitive teeth be treated?
Yes, sensitive teeth can be treated, both at home and in conjunction with your dentist. However, if you have prolonged tooth sensitivity we recommend you see your dentist, as there could be an underlying dental problem that may need to be addressed.

Treatment may include;

• Use of a desensitising toothpaste, gel or varnish. Make sure you gently brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush as aggressive brushing can wear down your enamel and cause irritation
• Reduce the intake of acidic food and drinks
• Maintain gum health to reduce gum recession
• Replacement of any leaky fillings
• Restoration of deep abrasive lesions

There are many causes for teeth sensitivity and you should always consult your dentist to look for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

When dentists perform a dental check-up, they are limited to what they can see in your mouth – they can only see the part of the tooth that sits above the gumline. Even then, dentists cannot see clearly between teeth where they touch. So just like other x-rays ordered by medical doctors to check for things like broken bones, dentists use dental x-rays to help see the parts of your teeth that sit below the gums and the surrounding bone.

What problems can dental x-rays show?
Dentists may take different types of x-rays depending upon what structures they are trying to view. Larger x-rays often provide a broader overview and are often taken outside the mouth. Smaller x-rays (where the x-ray film is placed inside the mouth) are used to show a smaller area in more detail, such as the area between two teeth.

Conditions which may show up on x-rays include (but are not limited to);
• Tooth decay, including the presence of decay between your teeth and/or underneath fillings
• Tooth abscesses
• Bone loss associated with Peridontal (gum) disease
• Cysts, or areas of chronic infection which can be associated with unerrupted teeth, or teeth which have suffered some sort of trauma
• Developing teeth – whether they are present and whether they appear as expected in the correct location
• The presence of extra teeth or alternatively the absence of teeth
• The presence of wisdom teeth and their position
• Traumatic injuries such as tooth and/or bone fractures
• The presence of any growths
• Inflammation of sinuses (on larger x-rays)

When should I get x-rays?
Your dentist will help you decide how often you should have dental x-rays as everyone’s needs are different. Dentists may suggest that you undergo a series of x-rays when they have not seen you before as a patient, so that they can complete a comprehensive examination and advise you of your overall dental status. Dentists may also require patients to have dental x-rays in order to either plan dental treatment, monitor treatment outcomes or to assist with treatment procedures.

Dentists might recommend dental x-rays depending on:
• Whether the dentist has seen the patient before
• A patient’s age
• A patient’s dental history
• The presence of symptoms requiring investigation
• The number of teeth present
• The visible condition of the patients teeth and gums
• The treatment being proposed and/or provided at the time
• The extent of disease and the need to monitor treatment outcomes