Root Sensitivity Treatment
Desensitizing Treatments for Sensitive Teeth at the Gum Line in Niceville, Florida
It will help to be familiar with Soft Tissue Grafting prior to reading this section.
Emerald Coast Periodontics offers root sensitivity treatment for patients experiencing sensitive teeth at the gum line. Also called dentinal hypersensitivity, root sensitivity is often caused by gum recession or tooth wear that exposes the dentin layer beneath the enamel. Our desensitizing treatments range from conservative options like medicated toothpaste to soft tissue grafting for severe cases. We serve patients throughout the Emerald Coast region including Niceville, Destin, and Fort Walton Beach.
What Causes Root Sensitivity?
Root sensitivity occurs when the dentin layer of the tooth becomes exposed. Dentin contains microscopic tubules filled with fluid; when exposed to temperature changes, air, sweets, or pressure, this fluid shifts and triggers a nerve response — what you feel as a sharp, temporary pain. Common causes include:
Gum recession — gum tissue pulling away from the tooth root, exposing the root surface
Abrasion or abfraction — tooth wear from aggressive brushing, grinding, or chewing stress
Post-cleaning sensitivity — teeth may feel sensitive after a deep cleaning, scaling, or root planing procedure
Enamel erosion — acidic foods, drinks, and stomach acid wearing down tooth enamel over time
While these dentinal tubules are typically insulted by enamel and cementum (root surface), they sometimes are exposed and subject to more pronounced changes. This change in hydrodynamic equilibrium results in a nerve stimulation that sends signals to the brain. Unfortunately, the only signal a tooth can send is pain.
Typically, treatment for root sensitivity includes soft tissue grafting and/or over-the-counter medicaments such as Sensodyne. In some cases, in-office products can also be used and in some severe unresolved cases, it may be necessary to perform root canal therapy.
If you have root sensitivity, it is important to contact your dentist or periodontist to have it evaluated, as it could be a sign of periodontal disease, endodontic problems, root fracture, or abscess.