What Is a Sealant for Sensitive Teeth?

If you have sensitive teeth, you’ll know the horrible feeling of eating certain foods. The sharp pain in your teeth can ruin your enjoyment of treats such as ice cream, cakes, citrus foods, or another cold, hot, or sweet treat.

Tooth sensitivity is no laughing matter. Not only is tooth discomfort hard to live with, but it is also often a sign that there are issues that need to be addressed with your teeth.

But what causes tooth sensitivity, and how can it be treated with dental sealants?

Let’s explore those questions and discuss how dental sealants and the right dentist and dental care can help your sensitive teeth.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

Sensitive teeth are one of the most common forms of toothache. With this type of tooth pain, the feeling is often sharp or shooting rather than a constant ache. The pain will come on when you are eating particular types of food. These are usually very hot or cold foods, but they could be sweet, spicy, or acidic foods such as citrus fruits. Many people will skip the call to a dentist altogether, opting to treat the pain by avoiding foods that set off pain and brushing with a toothpaste made for tooth sensitivity. However, a new toothpaste and avoidance will not replace proper dental care and treatment of the root problems!

Sensitive teeth are brought on when the layer under the tooth’s enamel (known as the dentin) or the layer covering the tooth root (known as cementum) is exposed at the gum. Often, this happens with receding gums that will cause sensitive nerves in exposed tooth roots to be stimulated.

The following are all factors that could bring on sensitivity in your teeth:

Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush that is too hard (dentists recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush if you are prone to tooth sensitivity)
Tooth grinding has caused the tooth enamel to wear thin over time, leaving deep grooves on the tooth surface
Gum disease causes the gum tissue to recede
Specific dental cleanings can bring on temporary sensitivity at the gum line or exposed roots

Suppose you are experiencing sensitivity in your teeth. In that case, the best course of action is to visit your dentist at the earliest possible opportunity before the problem gets any worse.

What Is Dental Sealant?

One treatment for sensitive teeth is the use of sealants. A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted into the surfaces of your teeth, paying close attention to chewing surfaces, root surfaces, exposed dentin, dental caries, and gum recession to reduce sensitivity where food is likely to touch as you chew.

Usually, all the surfaces are not covered. Instead, a dentist will apply this sealant to the surface area of the patient’s back teeth, the molars, and the premolars.

The purpose of dental sealants is to act as a replacement tooth enamel to prevent further damage or tooth decay. Dental sealants will connect to the grooves and dips in teeth. The dental sealant forms a shield over the enamel of your teeth, protecting them.

Brushing and flossing can help you remove any remaining particles of food and plaque from the smooth surface of your teeth. Special toothpaste designed for people with sensitivity issues is recommended for extra protection. However, it is very easy to miss the small nooks towards the back of your mouth where food can lurk.

Dental sealants can protect these especially vulnerable areas in the mouth from developing tooth decay. They will do this by sealing the teeth, preventing plaque and food from getting in, and saving what enamel is left.

Book your appointment today

If you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort in your mouth due to sensitive teeth, then it is essential that you get this addressed.

Our expert dentist, Dr. Christopher Dyki, is on hand to help you with your sensitive teeth caused by cavities, root canals, receding gums, grinding, and dental caries. With a range of options, including special toothpaste, dental sealants, bonding agents, and other treatments available, Patient Empowered Dentistry can have you enjoying your favorite foods again in no time! So, instead of thinking about treatments for your teeth, you’ll be enjoying your favorite foods without worrying about your tooth enamel.