What can a dentist do about a sensitive tooth?

Question

One of my front top teeth has become extremely sensitive just overnight. I have not bitten down on anything hard, hit the tooth or anything out of the ordinary. I just all of the sudden became very sensitive to any liquid or air.

But my question is what can a dentist do about a sensitive tooth?

Answer 1

Sometimes an injury to a tooth when you were a child could suddenly start to cause problems when you are an adult!

I know that this sounds strange but this is what happens... sometimes:

You take a blow to your mouth when you were a child... maybe playing ball or something like that. It's tender for a day or so but kids don't think too much about that and parents, unless there is gushing blood or the tooth pops out, don't worry about it too much either.

Now, time goes on. You're an adult and suddenly, one day, you wake up and the tooth is hurting. But, nothing has happened. Not recently. But, that blow that you took as a child is showing up now.

The blow might have caused the nerve in the tooth to die... a long, slow lingering death. Well, look how many years has gone by since you were a child. Now that dead nerve is causing the pain. You would have to see your dentist to find out if treatment is needed to treat the nerve on this tooth.

That is one scenerio. Then there is always the possibility that you are grinding your teeth at night and when you do, you are hitting that one tooth too much. The nerve gets irritated and you get the sensitivity that you are describing. The pain will go away if the pressure is taken off the tooth. Possibly wearing a night guard will help prevent further damage. Again, you have to see your dentist to see if this is the problem. If it is and if it is left uncontrolled, down the road the nerve could become so inflammed that it dies.

No matter the cause, a sensitive tooth should be checked out by your dentist so see what is going on and to treat it or prevent further problems.

Good luck.

Answer 2

since its just 1 tooth, my guess is you need a root canal...sorry.  you dont normally get just 1 sensitive tooth.  get to the dentist asap