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Teeth can be sensitive for many reasons.

Pressure
Sensitivity to chewing pressure can be caused by:
• Clenching/Grinding
• Decay
• Abscess
• Cracked tooth

Sweets
Sensitivity to sweet foods is usually caused by decay.
 
Hot and/or Cold
Sensitivity to hot and/or cold foods usually indicates:
• Decay
• Abscess
• Worn Teeth (Attrition)
• Receded Gums
It is not unusual for recent dental restorations to be sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure. This sensitivity should decrease with time. If sensitivity from a recent dental restoration worsens or persists, contact your dentist.

Bleaching can also temporarily cause mild sensitivity during treatment that disappears within a few days.

Toothache
Sensitivity due to a dental problem will worsen with time and become a toothache. A toothache is not like a headache. It won’t just go away, even if the pain temporarily subsides. The problem that is causing the pain will just get worse, as will the pain, and simple treatment may no longer be possible. At the first sign of a toothache, contact your dentist.

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Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-coloured composite resin material (a durable plastic material) is used for structural and cosmetic purposes to improve your smile. It is applied like a fine soft clay and hardened with a special light which ultimately “bonds” the material to the tooth to restore or improve a smile.

Dental bonding is an option that can be considered to:
- repair decayed teeth (composite resins are used to fill cavities)
- repair chipped or cracked teeth
- improve the appearance of discoloured teeth
- close spaces between teeth
- make teeth look longer
- change the shape of teeth
- be a cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings
- protect a portion of the tooth’s root that has been exposed when gums recede

Little advance preparation is needed for dental bonding. Anesthesia is often not necessary unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth. Your dentist will use a shade guide to select a composite resin color that will closely match the colour of your tooth.

Next, the surface of the tooth will be lightly roughened with an etching liquid to help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The tooth-colored, puttylike resin is then applied, molded and smoothed to the desired shape. An ultraviolet light or laser is then used to harden the material, after which, the dentist will further trim and shape it, and polish it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth surface.
The procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete.

Bonding can be best suited for small cosmetic changes, for temporary correction of cosmetic defects, and for correction of teeth in areas of very low bite pressure (for example, front teeth). Consult with your dentist about the best cosmetic approach for your particular problem.

Part of keeping your teeth for life is preventing gum disease. At our office we suggest regular cleanings by our registered dental hygienists.

The task of brushing and flossing our teeth daily has never been more important. Recent studies suggest that gum disease may contribute to or be warning signs of potentially life threatening conditions such as:

• Heart Disease and Stroke
• Diabetes
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Preterm Birth

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is mainly caused by specific bacteria from plaque and tartar build up. Your teeth must be clean to have healthy gums.
Other factors that have the potential to cause gum disease may include:

• Tobacco use
• Clenching or grinding your teeth
• Certain medications
• Genetics
• Stress or a compromised immune system

Types of Gum Disease Include:
Gingivitis – The beginning stage of gum disease and is often undetected. This stage of the disease is reversible.
Periodontitis – Untreated gingivitis may lead to this next stage of gum disease. With many levels of periodontitis, the common outcome is chronic inflammatory response, a condition when the body breaks down the bone and tissue in the infected area of the mouth, ultimately resulting in tooth and bone loss.

Signs of Gum Disease include:

Red, bleeding, and/or swollen gums
Bad breath
Mobility of the teeth
Tooth sensitivity caused by receding gums
Abscessed teeth
Tooth loss

Proper brushing and flossing is the easiest way to reduce and prevent gum disease, but regular cleanings with your dental hygienist or dentist are necessary to remove calculus and treat advanced gum disease. If you are concerned that you may have
gum disease, contact your dentist.