Teach Middle East Magazine Issue 2 Volume 2 Nov-Dec 2014 | Page 55

Dentistry DENTIN HYPERSENSITIVITY: CAUSES & TREATMENT OPTIONS By Dr Kazaid Kermani D entin sensitivity is more common than you may think. This condition causes a sharp pain when one consumes certain foods and drinks. Dentin hypersensitivity is a short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentin (the layer of tooth below the enamel) and is in response to stimuli that are typically thermal (cold or hot), evaporative (drying of teeth), tactile (the dentist running a probe over the affected area), osmotic or chemical (sugars and acidic things). This pain needs to be differentiated from other dental pathology that can cause similar pain. The pain associated with dentin hypersensitivity is prevalent in the majority of the countries worldwide. The majority of sufferers are unaware that the condition is easily identified and treated. The dentist would normally examine the teeth and assess the degree of pain through qualitative parameters such as slight, medium, and severe pain or through using quantitative parameters such as a visual analogue scale. Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is typically found in patients whose dentin has become exposed by recession of the gums around teeth, gum disease and therapy. Some of the causes are: • Enamel loss and tooth wear resulting from aggressive and incorrect methods of tooth brushing causing abrasion. • Ingesting acidic foods and drinks. • Acid regurgitated from the stomach • Tooth