February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The National Children’s Dental Health Month is a…
What is Dental Hypersensitivity?
If you have ever cringed while eating ice cream or stopped drinking your favorite hot drink due to pain in your teeth, you have experienced dental hypersensitivity. This simply means that the dentin in your teeth are experiencing pain from an external factor, such as eating or drinking something that is hot or cold. A majority of the time the culprit is a cold food or drink, but there are other stimuli that cause the same pain.
Stimuli that May Cause a Sensitive Response
There are many causes of the pain you feel in your mouth, otherwise known as sensitivity, and it can be hard to pinpoint just one, but here are some of the most common reasons:
– Excessively hot or cold food and drinks
– Cold air
– Dental tools, including the probe
– Foods/drinks with a high sugar content
– Foods/drinks with a high acidic content
The Causes of Dental Hypersensitivity
If your reaction to any of the above stimuli is excessive, there could be an underlying reason for your discomfort. Typically, patients are experiencing receding gums or excessive wear on their enamel. Both of these reasons could be caused by harsh brushing over many years, using the incorrect type of toothpaste, consuming a highly acidic diet, or poor oral hygiene habits. In addition, receding gums can be caused by chronic gum disease, which has become periodontitis. Regardless of the reason, it is crucial that you see a dentist in order to get to the root of the problem and begin making changes to alleviate your discomfort.
There are several ways that we can help you alleviate your pain and be able to enjoy your favorite food and drinks again. If your teeth are worn down and the pulp is exposed, a root canal may be necessary to repair and clean the roots, and then fill the area to avoid the painful reactions you were experiencing to hot and cold foods. If your gums have become recessed, a gum graft may be necessary to cover up your roots and protect yourself from the unnecessary pain. In less dire circumstances, simply changing your diet and your oral hygiene habits, including the type of toothpaste you use can be enough to rectify the situation and eliminate your dental hypersensitivity. We will discuss your options with you and help you get back on the path to eating and drinking your favorite food and drinks!
Dr. Jordan Cooper is from Jacksonville, AR. His father is Dr. James Cooper, a Jonesboro, AR native and practicing dentist of 39 years and his mother, Tracy Cooper, is a dental hygienist from Little Rock. Dr. Cooper graduated high school from Central Arkansas Christian, after which he entered at the University of Arkansas as a Chancellor’s Scholar in 1998.
Dr. David Cole is a graduate from the University of Arkansas, receiving his degree in 2016, and is a huge Razorback fan! He then went to dental school at the University of Tennessee where he received his D.D.S. in 2021. He looks forward to getting to know the Central Arkansas area, and serving his community!
Dr. Rasmussen is a Hot Springs native who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017 (Go Bears). After receiving his D.D.S from The University of Tennessee in 2021, he is looking forward to serving the central Arkansas community and the wonderful people who live here.
Dr. James Cooper was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He studied at the University of New Mexico and graduated from dental school from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. After 2 years of dental experience with the Army, Dr. Cooper moved to Jacksonville in 1973 to practice dentistry.