Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth. This tough shell is the hardest tissue in the human body. Enamel covers the crown which is the part of the tooth that’s visible outside of the gums.
Because enamel is translucent, you can see light through it. But the main portion of the tooth, the dentin, is the part that’s responsible for your tooth color — whether white, off white, grey, or yellowish.
Sometimes coffee, tea, cola, red wine, fruit juices, and cigarettes stain the enamel on your teeth. Regular visits to your dentist for routine cleaning and polishing can help remove most surface stains and make sure your teeth stay healthy.
What does tooth enamel do?
Enamel helps protect your teeth from daily use such as chewing, biting, crunching, and grinding. Although enamel is a hard protector of teeth, it can chip and crack. Enamel also insulates the teeth from potentially painful temperatures and chemicals.
Unlike a broken bone that can be repaired by the body, once a tooth chips or breaks, the damage is done forever. Because enamel has no living cells, the body cannot repair chipped or cracked enamel.
Tooth sensitivity can affect one or more teeth. It’s most common when you eat or drink something hot, cold, sweet, or sour. Sometimes a breath of cold air can set it off. The pain can be sharp and sudden and can shoot deep into the nerve endings of your teeth.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
You get sensitive teeth when your gums pull back and expose the surface beneath, called the dentin. This soft layer makes up the inner part and roots, which have thousands of tiny tubes that lead to the tooth’s nerve center (the pulp). These channels allow the trigger — for example, the hot, cold, or sweet food — to reach the nerve in your tooth, which results in the pain you feel.
Other things that can cause sensitive teeth are:
Wear and tear. Over time, brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush or grinding your teeth can wear down enamel and expose the dentin.
Tooth decay near the gum line.
Gum disease (gingivitis). Inflamed and sore gums pull back and expose the roots of your teeth.
Damage. Chipped or broken teeth may fill with bacteria. The bacteria can enter the pulp, causing inflammation.
Teeth grinding. Grinding or clenching your teeth may wear down the enamel and expose the dentin.
Tooth-whitening products. These products may be major contributors to sensitive teeth.
Age. Teeth are most sensitive between ages 25 and 30.
Plaque buildup. The presence of plaque on the root surfaces can cause sensitivity.
Long-term mouthwash use. Some over-the-counter products contain acids that can make sensitivity worse if your dentin is already exposed. Ask your dentist about a neutral fluoride solution.
Acidic foods. Food and drinks with a high acid content, like citrus fruits, tomatoes, pickles, and tea, can wear down enamel.
Dental work. Teeth cleaning, root planing, crown placement, and tooth restoration can make teeth sensitive. This should go away in 4 to 6 weeks.
Steps to Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
The good news is there are many ways to control sensitive teeth. You can:
Brush and floss regularly. Use proper brushing and flossing techniques to thoroughly clean all parts of your teeth and mouth.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush gently and carefully around the gum line so you don’t remove gum tissue.
Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Several brands are available. Regular use should make teeth less sensitive. You may need to try several brands to find the product that works best for you. Another tip: Spread a thin layer on the exposed tooth roots with your finger or a Q-tip before you go to bed. Use a fluoridated toothpaste, not atartar control one.
Watch what you eat. Avoid lots of highly acidic foods and drinks.
Use fluoridated dental products. Using a fluoridated mouth rinse daily can decrease sensitivity. Ask your dentist about products available for home use.
Don’t grind your teeth. Use a mouth guard at night.
See your dentist every 6 months (or sooner, depending on your condition).
If you still have discomfort, talk to your dentist. There may be a procedure that can help. He might recommend:
White fillings(bonding) to cover exposed root surfaces
Fluoride varnishes applied to the exposed root surface
Dentin sealers applied to the exposed root surface
Reviewed by Michael Friedman, DDS on October 26, 2014
Looking for an orthodontist in Beaverton, Oregon? Biermann Orthodontics is a cutting-edge orthodontic practice that serves Beaverton and Molalla, OR, and focuses on providing world-class customer service and efficient treatment. We strive to create stunning smiles in the shortest amount of time without ever sacrificing quality.
503-690-0722
17885 NW Evergreen Parkway, Suite 200
Beaverton, OR 97006
https://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/sensitive-teeth.jpg300702mbiermannhttps://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/lgoo.pngmbiermann2015-08-24 03:12:462015-08-24 03:12:46What Can You Do About Sensitive Teeth?
For a number of medically important reasons, it’s important that cancer patients not neglect their dental health.
Chemotherapy, which involves drug treatment to kill cancer cells, can promote a range of oral health problems. The medications used in chemotherapy can promote dry mouth, which can be part of the overall picture of tooth decay.
In addition, chemotherapy drugs can affect the blood’s ability to clot, and patients may experience bleeding gums or be more prone to oral ulcers. Most patients can continue to brush and floss their teeth safely. Your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest a soft toothbrush or soft floss to make tooth care more comfortable during chemotherapy.
https://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dental-health-and-cancer.jpg300702mbiermannhttps://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/lgoo.pngmbiermann2015-08-15 03:02:042015-08-15 03:05:11Chemotherapy Associated with Oral Health Care Problems
Brush. Floss. Rinse mouth with mouthwash. From a young age, people are taught to follow this procedure to maximize the benefits of proper oral hygiene, but could mouth rinse actually cause more problems than good? According to the April 2007 issue of AGD Impact, the monthly newsmagazine of the AGD, the improper selection of a mouth rinse may cause side effects worse than the condition being treated.
“It all depends on each individual’s oral health concerns,” explains Barbara Rich, DDS, FAGD, AGD spokesperson. “If someone has a lot of inflammation which is causing bleeding gums, then the side effect of staining caused by some prescription mouthwashes may be worth it to improve their health. Staining can be polished off at the regularsemiannual visit to the dentist.”
Dr. Rich further explains, however, that if minty-fresh taste is the only reason for a person using mouth rinses, but they have dry mouth or get ulcers from strong alcohol content in the mouthwash, it may not be worth using it.
https://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/choosing-mouthwash.jpg300702mbiermannhttps://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/lgoo.pngmbiermann2015-08-12 01:37:002015-08-12 01:41:21Wrong Choice of Mouthwash Could Have Negative Side Effects
Most of us are aware that poor dental hygiene can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath – but not brushing your teeth could also have consequences for more serious illnesses.
However, the number of participants in the NYU study was fairly small. The researchers analyzed data from 152 subjects enrolled in the Glostrop Aging Study – a study looking at psychological, medical and oral health in Danish men and women. The study spanned a 20-year period and ended in 1984, when the subjects were all over the age of 70.
Comparing cognitive function at ages 50 and 70, the NYU team found that gum disease at the age of 70 was strongly associated with low scores for cognitive function.
https://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/beyond-dental-health.jpg300702mbiermannhttps://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/lgoo.pngmbiermann2015-08-08 00:18:272015-08-08 00:18:27Beyond Tooth Decay: Why Good Dental Hygiene is Important
Keeping your braces clean can be time-consuming. We found this article that outlines 10 tips for keeping your braces clean. Following these easy suggestions can make taking care of your braces much easier!
If you just got your braces or are planning on getting them soon, you’re probably already looking forward to the healthier mouth and great smile that will result.
Like most things that benefit us, however, some effort is required on our part. This includes taking care of your mouth and braces by keeping them clean. When you have braces, brushing your teeth and taking care of your gums is more important than ever. To help you keep your investment in tip top shape, we’ve assembled the top 10 tips for caring for your braces:
https://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/keeping-braces-clean.jpg300702mbiermannhttps://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/lgoo.pngmbiermann2015-08-05 00:42:582015-08-05 00:42:5810 Tips for Keeping Your Braces Clean
A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study in 215 elderly nursing home residents showed that Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis reduced the prevalence of oral Candida by more than 50 per cent compared to placebo. “The results show that Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis may be beneficial in patients at risk of oral candidosis”, says Professor Svante Twetman, Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
After 12 weeks of intervention with two lozenges per day of Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis there was a statistically significant reduction of 53 per cent in the proportion of patients that had high Candida counts in both saliva and plaque in the probiotic group whereas there was no difference in the placebo group.
https://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/elderly-oral-health.jpg300702mbiermannhttps://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/lgoo.pngmbiermann2015-08-01 04:19:502015-08-01 04:19:50BioGaia’s Oral Health Probiotic Reduces Candida in the Elderly
Many adults with crooked teeth think they missed their opportunity for braces during childhood. But dental professionals now readily use braces to help correct dental problems at any age. In fact, adult braces are more popular today than ever before.
When Adult Braces Can Help
Adult braces can be used to correct a variety of dental problems, including:
Crooked teeth
Overcrowded teeth
Bite abnormalities (for example, an overbite or underbite)
https://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/braces-as-adults.jpg300702mbiermannhttps://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/lgoo.pngmbiermann2015-07-29 02:26:002015-07-29 02:28:07Getting Braces as an Adult
Your oral health is more important than you might realize. Get the facts about how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health.
Did you know that your oral health can offer clues about your overall health — or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Understand the intimate connection between oral health and overall health and what you can do to protect yourself.
What’s the connection between oral health and overall health?
Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria — most of them harmless. Normally the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
https://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/healthy-smiles.jpg300702mbiermannhttps://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/lgoo.pngmbiermann2015-07-25 00:41:402015-07-25 00:41:40The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health
While most orthodontic problems are not life threatening, there are some early warning signs that indicate your child might need to see an orthodontist even if they still have the majority of their baby teeth.
These are the top 5 that warrant a visit before the problem becomes worse:
1. A persistent thumb, finger or tongue habit
While thumb sucking may help a child sleep better, by the time they go to Kindergarten, those habits should have been eliminated.
If left untreated, they could cause the teeth to be pushed out too far and the jaws to grow in the wrong direction. Furthermore, speech problems and eating difficulties are quite common in children with these persistent habits.
2. Upper teeth that are behind the lower teeth (also called an under bite)
This is a very severe problem that should be treated at a young age while the child is still growing. The upper jaw, in these cases, is not growing at the same rate as the lower jaw.
https://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/orthodontic-problems-in-children.jpg300702mbiermannhttps://www.mcbiermann.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/lgoo.pngmbiermann2015-07-21 22:46:062015-07-21 22:46:06Does Your Child Have Any of These Potentially Serious Orthodontic Problems?
Tooth Enamel Erosion and Restoration
/in Dental Education, General CareArticle Featured on WebMD
What is tooth enamel?
Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth. This tough shell is the hardest tissue in the human body. Enamel covers the crown which is the part of the tooth that’s visible outside of the gums.
Because enamel is translucent, you can see light through it. But the main portion of the tooth, the dentin, is the part that’s responsible for your tooth color — whether white, off white, grey, or yellowish.
Sometimes coffee, tea, cola, red wine, fruit juices, and cigarettes stain the enamel on your teeth. Regular visits to your dentist for routine cleaning and polishing can help remove most surface stains and make sure your teeth stay healthy.
What does tooth enamel do?
Enamel helps protect your teeth from daily use such as chewing, biting, crunching, and grinding. Although enamel is a hard protector of teeth, it can chip and crack. Enamel also insulates the teeth from potentially painful temperatures and chemicals.
Unlike a broken bone that can be repaired by the body, once a tooth chips or breaks, the damage is done forever. Because enamel has no living cells, the body cannot repair chipped or cracked enamel.
Read more
What Can You Do About Sensitive Teeth?
/in Dental EducationArticle Featured on WebMD
Tooth sensitivity can affect one or more teeth. It’s most common when you eat or drink something hot, cold, sweet, or sour. Sometimes a breath of cold air can set it off. The pain can be sharp and sudden and can shoot deep into the nerve endings of your teeth.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
You get sensitive teeth when your gums pull back and expose the surface beneath, called the dentin. This soft layer makes up the inner part and roots, which have thousands of tiny tubes that lead to the tooth’s nerve center (the pulp). These channels allow the trigger — for example, the hot, cold, or sweet food — to reach the nerve in your tooth, which results in the pain you feel.
Other things that can cause sensitive teeth are:
Steps to Reduce Tooth Sensitivity
The good news is there are many ways to control sensitive teeth. You can:
If you still have discomfort, talk to your dentist. There may be a procedure that can help. He might recommend:
WebMD Medical Reference
Looking for an orthodontist in Beaverton, Oregon? Biermann Orthodontics is a cutting-edge orthodontic practice that serves Beaverton and Molalla, OR, and focuses on providing world-class customer service and efficient treatment. We strive to create stunning smiles in the shortest amount of time without ever sacrificing quality.
Visit our Locations page to find a clinic near you, or schedule an initial consultation.
Biermann Orthodontics
503-690-0722
17885 NW Evergreen Parkway, Suite 200
Beaverton, OR 97006
Chemotherapy Associated with Oral Health Care Problems
/in General CareArticle Featured on Oral-B
The Bad Side of Chemotherapy
For a number of medically important reasons, it’s important that cancer patients not neglect their dental health.
Chemotherapy, which involves drug treatment to kill cancer cells, can promote a range of oral health problems. The medications used in chemotherapy can promote dry mouth, which can be part of the overall picture of tooth decay.
In addition, chemotherapy drugs can affect the blood’s ability to clot, and patients may experience bleeding gums or be more prone to oral ulcers. Most patients can continue to brush and floss their teeth safely. Your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest a soft toothbrush or soft floss to make tooth care more comfortable during chemotherapy.
Read more
Wrong Choice of Mouthwash Could Have Negative Side Effects
/in Oral Health, Oral HygieneArticle Featured on KnowYourTeeth
Brush. Floss. Rinse mouth with mouthwash. From a young age, people are taught to follow this procedure to maximize the benefits of proper oral hygiene, but could mouth rinse actually cause more problems than good? According to the April 2007 issue of AGD Impact, the monthly newsmagazine of the AGD, the improper selection of a mouth rinse may cause side effects worse than the condition being treated.
“It all depends on each individual’s oral health concerns,” explains Barbara Rich, DDS, FAGD, AGD spokesperson. “If someone has a lot of inflammation which is causing bleeding gums, then the side effect of staining caused by some prescription mouthwashes may be worth it to improve their health. Staining can be polished off at the regularsemiannual visit to the dentist.”
Dr. Rich further explains, however, that if minty-fresh taste is the only reason for a person using mouth rinses, but they have dry mouth or get ulcers from strong alcohol content in the mouthwash, it may not be worth using it.
Read more
Beyond Tooth Decay: Why Good Dental Hygiene is Important
/in Dental EducationArticle by David McNamee | Featured on Medical News Today
Most of us are aware that poor dental hygiene can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath – but not brushing your teeth could also have consequences for more serious illnesses.
Alzheimer’s disease
In 2010, researchers from New York University (NYU) concluded that there is a link between gum inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease, after reviewing 20 years of data on the association.
However, the number of participants in the NYU study was fairly small. The researchers analyzed data from 152 subjects enrolled in the Glostrop Aging Study – a study looking at psychological, medical and oral health in Danish men and women. The study spanned a 20-year period and ended in 1984, when the subjects were all over the age of 70.
Comparing cognitive function at ages 50 and 70, the NYU team found that gum disease at the age of 70 was strongly associated with low scores for cognitive function.
Read more
10 Tips for Keeping Your Braces Clean
/in Caring For Your BracesKeeping your braces clean can be time-consuming. We found this article that outlines 10 tips for keeping your braces clean. Following these easy suggestions can make taking care of your braces much easier!
Article Featured on DocBraces.com
If you just got your braces or are planning on getting them soon, you’re probably already looking forward to the healthier mouth and great smile that will result.
Like most things that benefit us, however, some effort is required on our part. This includes taking care of your mouth and braces by keeping them clean. When you have braces, brushing your teeth and taking care of your gums is more important than ever. To help you keep your investment in tip top shape, we’ve assembled the top 10 tips for caring for your braces:
Read more
BioGaia’s Oral Health Probiotic Reduces Candida in the Elderly
/in Oral HealthArticle featured on Business Wire
A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study in 215 elderly nursing home residents showed that Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis reduced the prevalence of oral Candida by more than 50 per cent compared to placebo. “The results show that Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis may be beneficial in patients at risk of oral candidosis”, says Professor Svante Twetman, Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
After 12 weeks of intervention with two lozenges per day of Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis there was a statistically significant reduction of 53 per cent in the proportion of patients that had high Candida counts in both saliva and plaque in the probiotic group whereas there was no difference in the placebo group.
Read more
Getting Braces as an Adult
/in Do I Need Braces?, Living With Braces, Orthodontics For AdultsInterested in getting braces? An initial consultation will provide an opportunity to ask questions about orthodontic treatment such as:
Contact us for a free consultation and Biermann Orthodontics will set you up with an evaluation!
Less noticeable teeth straightening options are available today. Learn about your options.
by Krisha McCoy, MS on Everyday Health
Many adults with crooked teeth think they missed their opportunity for braces during childhood. But dental professionals now readily use braces to help correct dental problems at any age. In fact, adult braces are more popular today than ever before.
When Adult Braces Can Help
Adult braces can be used to correct a variety of dental problems, including:
Read more
The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health
/in Oral HealthArticle featured on Mayo Clinic
Your oral health is more important than you might realize. Get the facts about how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health.
Did you know that your oral health can offer clues about your overall health — or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Understand the intimate connection between oral health and overall health and what you can do to protect yourself.
What’s the connection between oral health and overall health?
Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria — most of them harmless. Normally the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Read more
Does Your Child Have Any of These Potentially Serious Orthodontic Problems?
/in About Orthodontics, Orthodontics For ChildrenWhile most orthodontic problems are not life threatening, there are some early warning signs that indicate your child might need to see an orthodontist even if they still have the majority of their baby teeth.
These are the top 5 that warrant a visit before the problem becomes worse:
1. A persistent thumb, finger or tongue habit
While thumb sucking may help a child sleep better, by the time they go to Kindergarten, those habits should have been eliminated.
If left untreated, they could cause the teeth to be pushed out too far and the jaws to grow in the wrong direction. Furthermore, speech problems and eating difficulties are quite common in children with these persistent habits.
2. Upper teeth that are behind the lower teeth (also called an under bite)
This is a very severe problem that should be treated at a young age while the child is still growing. The upper jaw, in these cases, is not growing at the same rate as the lower jaw.
Read more