Dental sensitivity is when, for one reason or another, your teeth are more tender than normal. Often, external stimulation like extreme temperatures causes discomfort, which can be quite annoying when you’re just trying to enjoy an ice-cream cone!
It makes sense that you would want to avoid dental sensitivity if at all possible. If you’re thinking about getting dental veneers, though, you might be worried about exactly that. Keep reading to learn why getting sensitive teeth after a dental veneer treatment is simply a misconception.
Dental Sensitivity and Enamel
For any of this to make sense, it’s important to understand how dental sensitivity is connected to your enamel. Enamel is essentially the outermost layer of your tooth. It’s one of the hardest substances in the human body, which is good, because enamel’s job is to protect your teeth’s more sensitive layers from bacteria and discomfort. Removing enamel thins that protection, hence why teeth can become chronically tender.
Why Veneers Don’t Typically Cause Sensitivity
Under normal circumstances, removing a portion of your enamel could very well result in sensitivity, even if the portion is small. However, the porcelain shells crafted for your veneer treatment will effectively replace the enamel that was altered. They’ll act as a new protective barrier, so you’re unlikely to experience long-term sensitivity. Some patients find that their teeth are actually less delicate than before!
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If You Do Experience Sensitivity, This is Why…
The process of adhering dental veneers to your teeth shouldn’t cause permanent sensitivity, but your teeth might be sore for a few days after being poked and prodded. If this uncomfortable feeling persists after a week, though, call your dentist. It could be that your veneers are loose or not completely adhered, creating weak spots in your teeth’s defenses.
How to Manage Sensitivity Post-Veneers
While you wait for your teeth to recover, there are some things you can do to alleviate their sensitivity. Here’s what we recommend:
- Avoid triggering foods and drinks, such as hot coffee or cold ice cream.
- Take pain medicine as necessary.
- Swish around a saltwater rinse. Salt is great for the healing process, so adding this to your oral hygiene routine can really help.
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste when you brush (twice daily, of course!).
Keep these tips in mind and your dentist’s phone number in your contacts list, and you should be able to enjoy a pain-free ice-cream cone with your stunning new dental veneers!
