My teeth are sensitive.

Sensitive teeth seem to be a common issue amongst patients.  Teeth can be sensitive for many reasons.  It is important to determine where your sensitivity is coming from to properly treat it. 

-If you are experiencing sensitivity to cold you may be suffering from a case of recession.  Recession comes from brushing too hard against your gums.  When you brush away your gum the actual root of your tooth is exposed.  Roots are very porous, like a sponge, and will instantly absorb any temperature and shoot it directly to the nerve causing sensitivty.  Your dentist will either fill these spots of recession or put medication over top to block some of the pores.

-If you are possibly experiencing sensitivity in your top molars, you should consider if you are coming down with a sinus infection, or maybe allergies?  These factors cause sensitivity because of the pressure that the maxillary sinus puts on the roots of these molars.  Notice the dark circles above the molars in the image to the left.  In this case, your doctor may recommend an over the counter sinus medicine or an antibiotic to clear up the sinus. 

-If you do not have recession and you are not experiencing any sinus infections, it could be from previous fillings, especially those silver ones.  The silver fillings are a metal and all metals conduct temperatures whether hot or cold.  Try using sensodyne for two weeks, and if you do not like the taste then use a q-tip and just rub the sensodyne around the sensitive area.

If the sensitivity in a particular tooth or teeth does not subside, after a result from any of these scenarios, a patient should consider replacing the fillings or consulting for a root canal.  Always speak with your doctor for advice, and ask questions.

Forget about your mouth, And...

Forget about your mouth, and not many people realize how your oral health can effect the rest of your body.  Consider a patient with a mouth full of bacteria and disease everyday.  Daily, they are swallowing the bacteria that is festering in their mouth.  The bacteria flows into your stomach and eventually into your blood stream resulting in:

STROKE, PNEUMONIA, HEART ATTACK, UNCONTROLLED DIABETES, DEATH

The same bacteria that are present in your mouth have been found in the linings of your heart, causing heart attacks.  Just like the bacteria are found in your heart, they have been found in your lungs and brain.  I recently learned, an old acquaintance died of a heart attack related to dental infection & bacteria.  This was a realization that mouth bacteria and infection are important to treat and to use caution while treating.  Just as you would keep a nasty cut clean of bacteria, you should keep your mouth clean.