{"id":1735,"date":"2024-10-01T21:42:35","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T21:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/blog\/?p=1735"},"modified":"2024-11-05T00:04:05","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T00:04:05","slug":"to-call-or-not-tooth-sensitivity-dental-emergency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/blog\/to-call-or-not-tooth-sensitivity-dental-emergency\/","title":{"rendered":"To Call or Not to Call? When Tooth Sensitivity is a Dental Emergency"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/image.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/image-300x200.png\" alt=\"Young woman looking at her ice cream is concerned about her tooth sensitivity\" class=\"wp-image-1736\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/image-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/image.png 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>You dig your spoon into your favorite flavor of ice cream, ready to enjoy a cool treat after a long day, when \u2013 \u201cOuch!\u201d the cold sends an uncomfortable sensation through your teeth. This dental sensitivity is new, but you also know it\u2019s a rather common problem. Should you call your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/emergency-dentistry.html\">emergency dentist<\/a>? Or can you wait for your regularly scheduled appointment to address this development? Keep reading to find out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Causes of Tooth Sensitivity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your pearly whites are uncomfortable with hot and cold sensations, it\u2019s likely because their protective enamel is weakened. Everyday wear and tear can cause enamel erosion, but so can some dental emergencies! Here are some examples of what the underlying problem could be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tooth decay<\/strong> \u2013 the most common form being cavities \u2013 can cause enamel to deteriorate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gum disease<\/strong> that has diminished your gumline will leave your dental roots exposed, making your teeth more tender than usual.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Overly aggressive brushing<\/strong> can also cause your gums to recede, or chip away at your enamel through abrasive bristles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consuming too many<strong> acidic foods or drinks<\/strong> \u2013 acid will have a negative effect on your smile\u2019s protective dental layers if you\u2019re not careful!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dental damage<\/strong> like chips or cracks can sometimes cut deep enough to create weak spots in your enamel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Teeth grinding<\/strong>, a.k.a. bruxism, often causes excessive wear.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some dental treatments can also cause temporary tooth sensitivity, so if you\u2019ve had a recent procedure, ask your dentist whether tender teeth is an expected side effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Signs Your Tooth Sensitivity Could be Urgent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mild discomfort due to tooth sensitivity is typically not worrisome. However, you should call your emergency dentist right away if you experience any of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Severe pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prolonged sensitivity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swelling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Red gums<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A bad taste in your mouth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facial injury<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dental damage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice any other unusual symptoms, don\u2019t hesitate to keep your emergency dentist informed. The more information you can give them during your call, the better sense they\u2019ll get of how urgent the situation is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Your Dentist Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your dentist might be able to help alleviate the more common type of tooth sensitivity with fluoride therapy or by providing a nightguard for bruxism. In more severe cases, you\u2019ll likely need something more comprehensive, like a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/restorative-dentistry.html\">dental restoration<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/gum-recession.html\">gum recession treatment<\/a>. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since it can be difficult to tell whether your tooth sensitivity is cause for alarm, call your dentist, even if you think your oral health is fine. It\u2019s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your pearly whites! &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/meet-dr-latner.html\">Dr. Les Latner<\/a> earned his dental degree from the Washington University School of Dental Medicine in St. Louis. His numerous professional affiliations and accreditations speak to his skill and commitment to quality dentistry. If you have sensitive teeth, you can trust Dr. Latner to thoroughly assess your oral health, provide an accurate diagnosis, and work with you to build an effective treatment plan. To schedule a checkup or request a same-day emergency appointment, call his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/contact.html\">office<\/a> at 310-477-1081.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"You dig your spoon into your favorite flavor of ice cream, ready to enjoy a cool treat after a long day, when \u2013 \u201cOuch!\u201d the cold sends an uncomfortable sensation through your teeth. This dental sensitivity is new, but you also know it\u2019s a rather common problem. Should you call your emergency dentist? Or can you wait for your regularly scheduled appointment to address this development? Keep reading to find out! <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leslatnerdds.com\/blog\/to-call-or-not-tooth-sensitivity-dental-emergency\/\">(Read More)<\/a>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>When Tooth Sensitivity is a Dental Emergency | Westside Dental Associates<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Not sure whether your tooth sensitivity is a dental emergency? 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