The dentin is the layer of teeth structure just below the enamel (the outermost layer), and it has pores that connect it to the pulp of the teeth, which has sensitive nerves. Thus, anything that exposes the dentin makes your teeth susceptible to irritants such as cold and hot food and drinks.

The heightened risk of irritation is known as dentin hypersensitivity, and it can make daily life (particularly eating, drinking, and brushing) difficult for you. Here are some of the treatment options for the condition.

Careful Brushing

Careful brushing can help you fight dentin sensitivity in two main ways. First, you need to brush and floss daily to keep oral bacteria at bay. The bacteria produce acid that contributes to enamel erosion (and dentin hypersensitivity). Secondly, careful brushing ensures that the toothbrush doesn't cause further damage to your enamel.

Here are a few brushing tips for combating dentin hypersensitivity:

• Don't brush too vigorously.
• Don't brush immediately after eating and drinking acidic foods since your teeth are relatively susceptible to damage at that time.
• Don't use excessive forces when brushing; be gentle.
• Use toothbrushes with soft or medium bristles, not hard bristles.

Depending on the cause of your dentin hypersensitivity, careful brushing alone might be enough to help combat the condition.

Desensitizing Treatments

There are chemicals you can use to seal the microscopic channels in the dentin so that your teeth don't become hypersensitive even if your enamel has been eroded. Some of these treatments are incorporated in desensitizing toothpaste that you use to brush just like conventional toothpaste.

Alternatively, you can get desensitizing treatments from a dentist at a local dental clinic. The treatments are available in various forms such as pastes and varnishes that the dentist applies to your teeth.

Laser Therapy

Laser dentistry can also help you deal with dentin hypersensitivity. A laser is a form of intense energy beam that can be focused onto small areas. Laser dentistry has various applications, but in hypersensitivity treatment, the dentist uses the laser energy to recrystallize the dentin. The recrystallization creates a nonporous surface over the dentin that seals the tubes that connect the dentin to the tooth pulp. As a result, the sensitizing stimuli cannot reach the pulp and cause discomfort or pain.

Dental Sealing

Lastly, you can also get a dental sealing treatment to desensitize your teeth. In this treatment, the dentist applies a thin, plastic coating over the surfaces of the affected teeth. The sealant molds into the grooves on your teeth and bonds with the teeth to form an impervious surface.