Is Tooth Sensitivity a Dental Emergency?

If you eat ice cream and experience a jolt of pain when the frozen dessert hits your tooth, then you know the discomfort of tooth sensitivity. This unpleasant sensation can be excruciating, but does it qualify as a dental emergency?

Your dentist will determine the cause and necessary treatment for this issue if you schedule an emergency appointment. Dr. Alan Dechter and Dr. Matthew Moy, expert dentists located in Silver Spring, MD, provide further information about the uncomfortable dental condition, tooth sensitivity.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

The surface of your tooth, enamel, covers the underlying dentin in your tooth. Over time, enamel may erode, and dentin can become exposed. Dentin contains nerves that send pain signals to the brain when stimulated, which professionals refer to as tooth sensitivity.

Enamel erosion can occur for many reasons, including factors outside of your control. But once enamel is gone, it cannot regrow on its own. You will need to talk to your dentist to relieve tooth sensitivity symptoms.

Should I Schedule an Emergency Dental Appointment?

Tooth pain of any kind is abnormal and should be examined by a dental professional as soon as possible. Even if you consider tooth sensitivity to be tolerable, the symptom may signify a larger dental problem that your dentist will need to treat.

You should contact your dentist if you notice tooth sensitivity so that they can determine the cause. They may recommend that you schedule an emergency dentist appointment for prompt evaluation.

What Treatment Can I Anticipate?

Treatment for tooth sensitivity will vary depending on the root cause of the condition. Your dentist may recommend the use of desensitizing toothpaste to relieve mild cases of sensitivity pain.

Cavities can also cause tooth sensitivity, and your dentist can treat this issue by removing the decay and giving you a dental filling. Dental crowns can replace thinned or weakened enamel, covering exposed dentin with ceramic caps and therefore alleviating tooth sensitivity symptoms.