Break Those Tender Teeth Habits

If you avoid eating cold foods or drinking hot beverages because your teeth are a little tender, it may be time to get to the root of this problem. If you have sensitive teeth, with Dr. Cynthia Wong may recommend dental sealants or fluoride treatments to decrease sensitivity. Sometimes the solution is simply breaking bad habits. If you catch yourself performing any of the following habits, do your best to break them.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will leave you in pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you experience tooth sensitivity, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Sensitive Teeth: Causes and Treatment

If you avoid eating cold foods or drinking hot beverages because your teeth might cause you pain if you do, it may be time to get to the bottom of this painful condition. When the tooth’s hard enamel wears down or gums recede, tiny microscopic tubes located in the layer of the tooth below the enamel are exposed. Tooth sensitivity is caused by the stimulation of cells within these tubes, causing a short, sharp pain when the area is exposed to hot or cold temperatures. Thankfully there is treatment, and Dr. Cynthia Wong can provide you with relief.

Some of the causes of sensitive teeth include tooth decay, a cracked tooth, worn tooth enamel, worn fillings and tooth roots that are exposed as a result of aggressive tooth brushing, gum recession, and periodontal disease. Depending on the cause, Dr. Cynthia Wong may first suggest that you try desensitizing toothpaste, which contains compounds that help block sensation traveling from the tooth surface to the nerve. If the desensitizing toothpaste does not ease your discomfort, she may suggest in-office treatments.

If you have temperature sensitive teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visitwww.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

How Does Grinding Make Teeth Sensitive?

Sensitive can make brushing unpleasant. It can even make you want to skip your favorite drinks or foods. While there are a few different reasons that teeth can be sensitive, a common reason is grinding. At Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, we can provide our patients with night guards so that they can protect their teeth while they grind at night.

If you are experiencing sensitivity to your teeth, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist to make sure it isn’t a cavity or an infection. If you suspect you grind your teeth at night or have been told that you do, schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics. Night grinding and clenching is a common occurrence and it often creates sensitivity. This is because the constant pressure and grinding of your teeth begin to wear down enamel. When enamel is worn down, the dentin is exposed. Dentin is what makes up the center of our teeth and it contains tiny tubes that lead to the nerves of our teeth. When this dentin is exposed, the nerves are exposed and you feel pain. This is what makes it uncomfortable to brush your teeth and eat/drink hot and cold foods/drinks. Changing your behavior can help stop the grinding. In addition, we can make you a custom night guard to protect your teeth.

To learn more about the custom night guards we can create for you, be sure to schedule an appointment with us at our Orland Park, IL office or visit our website. To schedule with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, call us at (708) 444-8341 or visit www.drcynthiawong.com.