Categories: General Dentist

Preparing for Your Hygiene Appointment When You Have Sensitive Teeth

Hygiene appointments are a great way to deal with sensitive teeth, especially when teeth remain sensitive for an extended period of time despite at-home efforts to reverse it. By visiting your dentist for a hygiene appointment, you can determine the exact cause of sensitive teeth and begin the treatment process. 

How to prepare for your hygiene appointment

There are certain things every patient can do to prepare both mentally and physically before they arrive at the dentist. The following is a complete overview of what a hygiene appointment might involve and how a dentist can effectively treat sensitive teeth long-term. 

What is a hygiene appointment for sensitive teeth?

A hygiene appointment for sensitive teeth is a dental visit in which the main goal is to diagnose the cause and treat tooth sensitivity. There are many different reasons why a tooth, or multiple teeth, may become sensitive, and it is important to determine the cause early to prevent the problem from getting worse. Sensitive teeth may be the result of enamel erosion, an infection of the tooth pulp or tooth damage. In all three of these scenarios, sensitive teeth are not likely to improve on their own, and it is crucial to visit the dentist for a hygiene appointment. 

How can a dentist treat sensitive teeth?

The treatment for sensitive teeth depends on what is causing the sensitivity in the first place. In the event it is caused by weakened enamel, treatment may be as simple as a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen the enamel. However, enamel erosion (cavities) likely require a dental filling to treat the issue. Sensitive teeth caused by tooth damage, such as a chipped or cracked tooth, may require dental bonding, dental veneers or a crown, although there are other options as well. Other treatment options include root canal therapy, treatment for gum recession and lifestyle changes to improve hygiene and limit consumption of harmful foods and drinks. 

When to consider seeing the dentist for sensitive teeth

It is important to recognize the signs of a more serious case of sensitive teeth to know when to visit the dentist. Of course, the most obvious symptom to be mindful of is sensitivity that is moderate to severe, especially when exposed to hot or cold substances or pressure. Several other signs that indicate a hygiene appointment is required include:

  • Tooth decay
  • Tooth damage
  • Gum recession
  • Stained teeth
  • Swollen gums

The earlier you visit the dentist the easier it often is to treat the sensitivity. If any of the aforementioned symptoms exist, the issue is unlikely to improve on its own and a dental procedure during the hygiene appointment will most likely be required. 

Talk to a dentist about sensitive teeth treatment

No one should have to live with sensitive teeth, and it is easier than ever before for dentists to treat the issue. If you struggle with teeth sensitivity and want to find out what treatment options are available, consult with us today and schedule a time to come in for a hygiene appointment. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.stgeorgedentalcare.com or call St. George Dental Care at (435) 628-9099 for an appointment in our St George office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

Can A Cracked Tooth Heal On Its Own? What Dentists Want You To Know

Finding out you have a cracked tooth is unsettling, and the natural next question is whether it will just heal on its own if you leave it alone. It's a fair question, since plenty of minor injuries in the body do heal without treatment. Teeth, unfortunately, don't work that way.This article explains why enamel can't…

How Much Does A Root Canal Cost? What Determines The Price

Root canal cost is one of the most searched dental questions out there, and for good reason. It's hard to plan for a procedure when the price seems to range so widely depending on who you ask. The truth is that root canal cost depends on several specific factors, and understanding them makes the number…

Caring For Your New Dental Implant: A Simple Aftercare Guide

Getting a dental implant is a significant step toward restoring your smile, and how you care for it in the weeks that follow plays a big role in how well it heals. The good news is that implant aftercare is fairly straightforward once you know what to expect.This guide walks through the healing timeline, how…

Do You Need A Night Guard? Understanding Teeth Grinding And Treatment Options

Waking up with a sore jaw or a dull headache isn't always about a bad night's sleep. For a lot of people, it's a sign of nighttime teeth grinding, a habit called bruxism that often happens without you ever realizing it.This article covers the common signs of nighttime grinding, why it matters if left untreated,…

St. George Dental Care

Share
Published by
St. George Dental Care

Recent Posts

Can a Cracked Tooth Heal on Its Own? What Dentists Want You to Know

Finding out you have a cracked tooth is unsettling, and the natural next question is…

3 days ago

How Much Does a Root Canal Cost? What Determines the Price

Root canal cost is one of the most searched dental questions out there, and for…

2 weeks ago

Caring for Your New Dental Implant: A Simple Aftercare Guide

Getting a dental implant is a significant step toward restoring your smile, and how you…

3 weeks ago

Do You Need a Night Guard? Understanding Teeth Grinding and Treatment Options

Waking up with a sore jaw or a dull headache isn't always about a bad…

3 weeks ago

How Long Do Dental Implants Last? A Realistic Look at Implant Lifespan

"Implants last forever" is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot, and it's not…

1 month ago

What Is a Gum Boil? Causes, Symptoms, and When to See a Dentist

Spotting a small bump on your gum can be startling, especially if it appeared seemingly…

2 months ago