Nowadays, exposed dentin is a common dental issue that many people are facing. It can cause irritation and uncomfortable sensitivity in your teeth. You have to suffer pain and irritation during everyday activities, such as eating ice cream, sipping hot coffee, or even brushing your teeth. Exposed dentin mostly happens when the protective enamel wears away, or the gums recede. You can easily treat this problem with care.
This article is going to be very beneficial for you if you are suffering through it. In this article, we will tell you about its treatment, which will help you get out of this issue. We will also provide you with some tips that help you prevent exposed dentin. So you can avoid this problem and make your smile healthy. Get ready to know more about exposed dentin in detail.
What is Exposed Dentin?
It occurs when the teeth' protective layer, like enamel or gum tissue, gets damaged and worn away. The inner layer, called dentin, is then exposed.
It contains small tubules that are connected with nerves in the teeth. When the dentin is exposed, it becomes more sensitive. The pain or discomfort increases when you can use hot, cold, or sugary foods during the exposed dentin because a layer of enamel is absent.
There are different factors that lead to this condition, such as aggressive brushing, gum recession, tooth decay, or habits like teeth grinding. When dentin is exposed, your teeth become more sensitive and start to decay if not treated.
Common Causes
Tooth Erosion
When the outer layer of teeth, called enamel, gets damaged, tooth erosion occurs. The main cause of tooth erosion is eating acidic food or beverages or frequent exposure to stomach acid from conditions like acid reflux. As the enamel thins, underlying dentin becomes exposed.
Gum Recession
Sometimes, the gums move back from your teeth and expose the roots, and then recession occurs. This is caused by age factor, gum disease, and brushing improperly. Once the gum recedes, the dentin remains unprotected, making your teeth more sensitive and prone to discomfort.
Brushing Too Hard
When you put a lot of pressure on your teeth while brushing, it can damage your gums and enamel. Over time, brushing hard will affect the enamel, causing it to wear away. It can also cause gum recession, which leads to exposed dentin. So always be careful and use soft and high-quality brushes.
Teeth Grinding
Another reason for this issue is teeth grinding, also called bruxism, which can put pressure on your teeth while wearing down the enamel. If the grinding is severe, especially at night, it damages the dentin and increases the sensitivity.
Acidic Foods and Drinks
Avoid dietary products that contain acidic foods and drinks like citrus fruits, soda, and vinegar, which cause damage to your enamel. Acid erodes the enamel, leaving the dentin vulnerable to exposure. Reducing the acidic intake and eating healthy food that is better for your oral health will protect the enamel and the dentin from exposure.
Symptoms
Tooth Sensitivity
This is the most common symptom of exposed dentin. You can feel the sharp pain or discomfort when eating hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods or drinks. Even breathing in cold air can cause sudden sensitivity due to exposed nerves in dentin.
Tooth Discoloration
The dentin is exposed in the form of yellow or darker than the surrounding of your teeth. The reason is that dentin is darker than the enamel, and when it becomes visible, it can make your teeth look stained or discolored.
Sharp or Throbbing Pain
In different cases that are severe, it leads to sharp and severe pain. It happens when there is a lot of pressure on the teeth. The pain occurs when the nerves of your teeth get irritated, which is a clue that dentin is no longer protected.
Rough or Uneven Tooth Surface
When the dentin gets exposed, the patient can notice that the surface of their teeth feels rough. This is because the enamel is absent, exposing the rougher dentin layer.
Increased Risk of Cavities
When there is no enamel present to protect your teeth, the decaying process is faster. This makes it easier for bacteria to reach the inner layer of the tooth, increasing the risk of cavities and other dental problems.
Treatment Options
Dental Fillings
This is the best way to treat the exposed dentin caused by various factors. Dentists can remove the decayed portion of the teeth and fill the area with durable material, such as composite resin. This is not a permanent process but can restore the tooth’s shape and function.
Dental Bonding
This procedure places a tooth color material over the exposed dentin. It can help protect the damaged sensitive areas and improve the tooth's appearance. This procedure is very easy and is best for small cases of exposed dentin.
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal may be necessary when the exposed dentin leads to severe pain or nerve damage. This procedure includes removing the damaged tissue inside the tooth, cleaning it out, and sealing it to prevent other issues. Root canal therapy is basically used when the exposed dentin causes pain or discomfort when treatments do not affect it.
FAQs
Can I treat exposed dentin at home?
Some ways are possible, and it is best to treat it at home. But the recommended option is to visit the dentist. By this, you can get proper instructions and treatment to get out of this condition.
Will exposed dentin get worse over time?
As time passes, itbecomes dangerous for you if it remains untreated, causes serious infections, and leads to tooth decay.
Can I prevent exposed dentin?
Of course, you can easily get out of this problem. For this, you have just to avoid acidic foods and drinks and get regular checkups from your dentist.
Is exposed dentin painful?
Why not? The exposed dentin is the reason for a lot of pain due to sensitivity, but mostly it causes discomfort.
Can exposed dentin cause gum disease?
If we compare exposed dentin with gum disease, we can see that both have differences. It cannot cause gum disease but can be a symptom of gum-related disease. In case you have both problems, it is important to manage and treat both diseases.
Conclusion
Exposed dentin can cause pain, but you can manage and prevent it with the right care. You have to apply precautions like brushing gently, avoiding acidic foods, and maintaining good oral health to protect your teeth. But do not forget to visit your dentist after having serious symptoms. They can check your teeth and recommend treatments to help you feel better and protect you from severe damage.