title: Dealing with sensitive teeth.
abstract: Dental pain is extremely common in the UK and can severely reduce the quality of life when it is associated with eating, drinking or speech. Patients often present complaining of a short, sharp, stabbing pain from hot or cold air, foods or drinks: while this may be caused by tooth decay, failing fillings or cracks in teeth, a major cause is sensitivity from exposed dentine. Treatment varies from dietary control, desensitising toothpastes to protection with dentine-bonding agents and glass ionomers. In extreme cases elective devitalisation is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, UMDS Guy's, King's and St Thomas', London.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ide
mesh_terms: D003806:Dentin Permeability; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D019217:Tooth Attrition / Q000150:complications; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000150:complications; D014089:Tooth Remineralization; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; D014100:Toothpastes