sensitive tooth

Message

#1 Post by **bracedbride** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:34 am

hey all. i have noticed on my right side it hurts to brush with any pressure. i started poking around with my dental pick and that hurt as well. i set up an emergency appointment for thursday but i'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas about what this could be? cracked tooth, cavity?

#2 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:36 am

For me, most of the sensitivity came from teeth moving around. They were just sore and brushing with cold water was out of the question for a while.[/quote]

#3 Post by **Kat** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:37 am

Hard to say.
If you just had a adjustment then it's likely it's from just that.
I had a heavier wire installed and one of my least worrysome molars started to act like it would ping. Bad I'm thinking but remembering here all of the posts like this I gave it a few days and no more problem. My teeth are more sensitive but hey, that's being braced. I don't think I'd worry to much, take meds for pain and if it's still hurting bad go in.

#4 Post by **bracedbride** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:41 am

I called the doc & they asked if it stng like a cavity when I brused & I told them it does. They think the brace might have cracked the tooth.. we shall see.

#5 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:49 am

Let's hope it's just sensitivity from dentin being exposed! I've had that too, I was told to brush with sensodyne and use a fluoride rinse. Hopefully, your situation is solved just as easily!

#6 Post by **bracedbride** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:17 pm

Oh my gosh, yeah I'm so not hoping for something serious.

I just wish I could get in sooner. I'm going to be a nervous wreck by Thursday.

#7 Post by **Kat** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 1:52 pm

It should be ok unless you know it cracked by hearing it or something. If you just recently had a a djustment. Take some over the counter meds and try to forget about it, something tells me you are going to wqorry for nothing here. It should be ok.

#8 Post by **bracedbride** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:35 pm

I will pick up some Sensodyne tonight.

#9 Post by **platinum** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:37 pm

I know I have a cavity, a big one, if the pain is intolerable when pressing the tooth/cavity.

Do you have teeth with big fillings? These teeth are more sensitive to cold etc.

#10 Post by **rsprouse** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:45 pm

Let's hope it's just sensitivity from dentin being exposed!

I am guessing that you mean cementum. Dentin exposure would mean that you wore through enamel, likely from either toothbrush abrasion, stomach acid regurgitation, or more serious genetic disorders. Cementum is the tissue on your roots and is exposed with gum recession and often times causes sensitivity.

I know I have a cavity, a big one, if the pain is intolerable when pressing the tooth/cavity.

You don't typically feel decay, but you may feel the effects of the disease process attacking the nerve (irreversible pulpitis) and creating an inflammatory response. In english, pain from a cavity comes from when it is a huge cavity that is close to the nerve and inflames the nerve. If you feel a cavity then you are probably looking some expensive dental treatment. Sometimes you can get by with a large filling, but more often then not endo is needed.

Regarding the OP being concerned about the tooth cracking, cracked tooth syndrome typically presents with pain under function. So if you bite down into something on that tooth you would feel a sharp pain. A jolt from poking is probably root exposure or something making your gums unhappy (ie - plaque or something else irritating the gums). The safe thing to do like others have mentioned is get yourself some sensitivity toothpaste (look for Potassium Nitrate in the ingredients) and start using it. Typically it will take a few days to start noticing the effects of sensitivity toothpaste. Also, try warm salt water rinses in that area and give yourself a good ole' brushing and flossing concentrating in the area you are experiencing symptoms. Good luck in getting it resolved.

Best,
Rory

#11 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:03 pm

Rory, cementum, which is why you are the professional and have gone through all the schooling! But boy am I glad my sensitivity issues have died down.

Bracedbride, hope that tooth is feeling better!

#12 Post by **platinum** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:37 pm

You don't typically feel decay, but you may feel the effects of the disease process attacking the nerve (irreversible pulpitis) and creating an inflammatory response. In english, pain from a cavity comes from when it is a huge cavity that is close to the nerve and inflames the nerve. If you feel a cavity then you are probably looking some expensive dental treatment.

I gathered that the person who started this discussion felt some pain when poking around with a dental pick. Just occurred to me that when I had cavities they hurt when poking them.

#13 Post by **rsprouse** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:25 pm

Miss Smiley wrote:Rory, cementum, which is why you are the professional and have gone through all the schooling! ....

Professional?? Ha Ha....just use that term loosely.

You know what DMD stands for right? Didn't make Doctor (Thank you, i'll be here all week!!)

Best,
Rory

#14 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:51 am

HAHAHA

with Rory!