sensitivity?

Question

Is tooth sensitivity around the gumline normal? I have always gone to the dentist 2 times per year for cleaning, but have not been able to go since August 06 because I don't have dental insurance now and can't afford to go. It is just along a few teeth (not in the same area). It doesn't hurt when I eat, but is bothersome whenever I touch it with my fingernail or rinse with cold water. Not something that hurts, but has concerned me for the last few months.

Answer 1

It sounds like you have some tooth abrasion. This may be caused by the way you brush. Always use a soft toothbrush and light pressure. Take note of where you are starting when brushing(we usually start and end in the same place by habit), then try to start somewhere other than were you are sensitive.
This is not something that can be reversed, although you can keep it from getting worse. Try a sensitive toothpaste for 2wks. and see if that helps also. Good luck and see a dentist as soon as possible.

This is for JFK - I'm surprised that your dentist didn't mention that you have slight recession. You might want to give him/her a call and talk about it--and how to stop it now before it gets worse.

Answer 2

The crown of a tooth is made from enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. Enamel has no feeling, so scrapping the crown of a tooth has no effect. Underneath enamel is another substance called dentin, and the root of a tooth is made of a material called cementum. Dentin and cementum contain millions of tubules, think of them as straws, which run through the tooth right to the nerve, and which contain water inside them. Anything that causes movement of water inside the tubule will be perceived as pain from the nerve. A cavity in the dentin or cementum, hot and cold and sugars or salts just outside the tooth surface and pressure on the tooth surface by a fingernail or toothbrush will cause the water to move inside the tubules and be felt as sensitivity. When you scratch the surface of your tooth with your fingernail, that bump you feel is called the Cementoenamel junction. It is where the feeling root surface made of cementum meets the unfeeling crown of the tooth made of enamel. Just remember, dentin and cementum have feeing, enamel does not. (As a side note, this is why a dentist can drill in enamel and cause nopain, but once you get to the dentin or cementum, then it will hurt!)
If your pain is not being caused by a cavity, which could be checked by a dentist, then it is likely due to a little gum recession caused by age or using a toothbrush harder then a soft brush, or by improper brushing such as scrubbing instead of a more gentle Modified Bass technique.
To prevent sensitivity not resulting from a cavity, first try something like Sensodyne toothpaste. Either switch to it as your regular toothpaste, or put a dab on your fingertip and massage it over the sensitive teeth 2-3 times a day. Sensodyne works by plugging up the tubules like putting rocks at a cave entrance. It takes some time, but should help with sensitivity. If the sensitivity persists perhaps gum surgery to raise the gum level back up to where it should be, or a filling should be considered.

Answer 3

I cant Answer THis Sorry. But Honestly , I Was About To Ask The Same Question, I Was Up In The Bathroom There Brushing My Teeth And When I Was Brushing I Felt A Sharp Pain On My Gum line, I Assumed I Had Cut My Gum, No Biggie But when I Rinsed I Felt It Again and it was even worse with mouthwash ! I Then touched it with my fingernail and it was like a small dent at the top of my tooth and when it touched it PAIN !!

I was at the dentist last week and she never mentioned anything.

Answer 4

Sensitivity is most often caused by your gums receding due to the build up of plaque around the gum line that excrete acid. The best treatment is to floss before you go to bed every night and make sure you brush around the gums. You can also use a dental pick to scrap off the plaque.

If this doesn't improve in a month you should go in for a cleaning because you'll end up spending a lot more if its left unchecked and develops into gingivitis.

Answer 5

If there is some recession of the gingiva (gum tissue) it is possible to have sensitivity, because the cementum on your root would be exposed. I would use sensodyne products until you can afford to see a dentist. Also, if the sensitivity is caused by recession, you will have to change your toothbrushing technique--> use a soft toothbrush and angle your brush on the attached gingiva, use small soft back and forth vibrations to remove plaque.

I would see a dentist as soon as you can, to rule out other possible factors.

Answer 6

Are we to rebuke unrest or prayerfully deal with it? Spirit unrest is a Holy Spirit matter isn't it? Sensitivity is a human trait, but Christians deal with it though the Holy Spirit.

Answer 7

SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE RECESSION IT IS CAUSED BY DIFFERENT THINGS YOU COULD HAVE BRUSHED WITH A HARD TOOTHBRUSH FOR TO LONG IT COULD BE YOUR BITE THAT WILL ALSO CAUSE RECESSION NIETHER HERE NOR THERE IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE IN MOST CASES IT IS NOT REVERSIBLE BUT YOU CAN STOP IT SWITCH TO A SOFT TOOTHBRUSH AND HAVE YOUR BITE CHECKED YOU COULD SEE ABOUT HAVING A CONNECTIVE TISSUE GRAFT AND IN THE MEAN TIME USE A TOOTHPASTE LIKE SENSODYME OF FLOURISTAT AND THAT WILL HELP