Many people experience tooth sensitivity in response to hot and cold stimuli. People with extreme sensitivity may even wince in response to a sharp gust of wind that touches their teeth. Are you someone who dreads ice cream or hot coffee because of the discomfort it causes? If so, your Boston dentist can help with something that you may not have considered: fluoride. Keep reading to learn how this mineral can help to strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent uncomfortable sensitivity.

Why Tooth Sensitivity Develops

Your teeth are covered with an outer layer of white enamel, which is the hardest substance in your body. That doesn’t mean it’s invincible, though. The tooth enamel can become weak if they are repeatedly exposed to certain damaging foods — like if you eat a diet that is high in sugar or citric acids. People who drink lots of carbonated beverages are at-risk of weaker tooth enamel as well.

Nighttime teeth grinding can also cause the tooth enamel to wear away, causing moderate to extreme sensitivity as a result. People who have undergone a tooth whitening treatment may experience discomfort when heat and cold come into contact with their tooth enamel.

What Helps Tooth Sensitivity?

Brushing your teeth with an anti-sensitivity toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush may provide adequate relief for some. For other people, however, the effects are mild — and sensitivity still persists. A topical fluoride treatment performed by your dentist can make a big difference for tooth sensitivity. Completed within minutes at the end of a checkup and cleaning, fluoride strengthens teeth and helps you relish hot coffee, cold popsicles, and all your other favorite foods and beverages once again.

The Power of Fluoride

So what is it about fluoride that your tooth enamel loves so much? Applied topically and then removed, it remineralizes weak or worn enamel — meaning fluoride brings back important minerals that have been lost as a result of sugars, acids, or through wear and tear from daily use. The tooth enamel is stronger and better able to resist against sensitivity after a topical fluoride treatment.

And don’t forget that fluoride also provides significant cavity protection for patients of all ages. People who are at a higher risk of developing tooth decay — like children or cavity-prone adults — can especially benefit from regular fluoride treatments. When was your last visit to the dentist? Fluoride can be a part of your routine preventive treatment plan. If it’s been more than six months, you are due to schedule a checkup and cleaning with your dentist in Boston — request fluoride when you do!

Meet the Practice

Kraft & Schrott Dental Associates are a team of dental specialists providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages. To learn more about your Boston dentist or to schedule an appointment for excellent restorative, cosmetic and dental implant dentistry, you are invited to contact the office today at 617-227-4924.