©2005, Elizabeth Walker, RDH, BS, DC

• Multivitamin/mineral, antioxidants and EPA/DHA – 2packets/day w/ meals (See "Please Read First") – 1 tab/day w/ a meal
• Vitamin D 1000 IU with soy isoflavones
• Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite Concentrate (MCHC calcium) 500mg with Vitamin D 75 IU and Ipriflavone 50 mg – 3 tabs, 2x/day
• Phytonutrient Complex Product available in tablet or powder form, composed of dozens of vegetables, herbs, algae, grasses, etc.
• Lactobillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis (7.5 million live organisms each) in a powdered form mixed with water twice per day. Allowing these probiotic organisms to be swished around the mouth helps to inoculate the mouth with healthy bacteria to inhibit growth of bad germs

Please note:  Product names used by Dr. Walker are listed below.

       Tooth hypersensitivity is very common. It can involve a single tooth, entire sections of teeth or nearly the entire mouth. Toothaches, where the pulp of the tooth is exposed to the infection of dental decay, is discussed under Dental Cavities. Our teeth have only a thin layer of enamel located at and above the gumline. 

       Underneath the enamel is a layer called dentin, which makes up the bulk of the tooth and extends all the way from the crown of the teeth through the entire root. If the gums have receded due to disease or toothbrush abrasion, the dentin is now exposed to the environment of the mouth. Tooth hypersensitivity involves a minor irritation of the pulp via the dentin.

       Dental enamel is the strongest tissue in the human body. It is composed of 95% minerals, 1% organic materials and 4% water. It is considered a fairly inert substance and therefore, not prone to much exchange of nutrients. The dentin is also harder than bone and is comprised of 70% minerals, 18% organic materials and 12% water. This comparatively more fluid composition definitely indicates this is a tissue that can be altered and remodeled. This remodeling results in the formation of secondary, reactive and sclerotic dentin.

       The pulp contains the nerve and blood supply of the tooth. When the pulp is damaged, either from trauma or tooth decay, the tooth becomes nonvital (dies). This causes a deterioration of the organic materials within the dentin, which turns the tooth a darker color. Such teeth need root canal therapy to prevent infection that can enter the blood stream and affect various internal organs. The tooth also becomes brittle and needs to be protected with a crown to prevent breakage or cracking.  

       Not all stimuli cause pain in every person. People can be sensitive to dental instruments, toothbrushes, forks, hot, cold, sweets, acidic foods, cold air, and various toothpastes. The tartar control and whitening toothpastes are often the biggest offenders for irritating teeth and gums. 

       There are a variety of toothpastes available for helping to desensitize teeth. It is helpful to not only use these for general tooth brushing, but also to apply small amounts directly to offending teeth at bedtime. Various fluoride preparations to help hypersensitivity are available from your dental professional either as an in-office application or as a home-care prescription.

       As people age, their dentin can absorb various things that are circulating in their bloodstream. Nicotine contains pigments that can turn the tooth a yellowish color internally. This stain cannot be removed by whitening agents. It is a permanent part of the dentin tooth structure and can only be covered with veneers or crowns. Some people with chronic diseases have teeth that take on a gray or brown appearance.

       It is this dynamic nature of dentin that offers possibility that hypersensitivity may be improved by altering the dentin’s environment both externally and internally. If acidic or sweet foods are a trigger, perhaps it would be helpful to make the oral pH more alkaline through a change in diet, such as increasing fruits and vegetables and green food products, and the reduction of acidic products such as sugar, flour, caffeine and soda. Swishing a probiotic formula of healthy bacteria could also alter the presence of harmful, acid-producing bacteria.

       Perhaps hypersensitive dentin is a sign of mineral deficiency. Recently one of our dental clients said she had read that hypersensitive teeth could be helped by ingesting cod liver oil.  It is reasonable to believe that ingesting a product, which is a rich source of nutrients that facilitate calcium absorption, could strengthen the dentin and make it less sensitive. An alternative to cod liver oil could be the ingestion of microcrystalline hydroxyapatite calcium, high potency vitamin D and the essential oils EPA/DHA. Calcium absorption is described in more detail under Bone Loss.

       Those of us working in dentistry have certainly seen different rates of acceleration of tooth decay once it reaches the dentin. Some people can have a gigantic cavity present on the yearly bitewing x-rays and others have just a tiny speck visible. Many people get a high rate of tooth decay on exposed root surfaces, which have no enamel. Perhaps those with rapid tooth decay have mineral deficiencies that make their dentin a weak barrier to bacterial invasion.

        When I was a child, my first dental appointment happened at age 14. Because of this delay, some of my cavities were quite deep. About 10 years ago I had a filling break down and there was very little tooth structure to support a new filling. My dentist recommended a crown. In the process for preparing the tooth she stated that she had to drill so close to the pulp that she was sure the nerve would be harassed and cause an abscess, necessitating a root canal. I declined going through with a root canal and said I would rather take my chances. The tooth was extremely sensitive as soon as the anesthetic wore off but continued to heal, especially once the permanent crown was inserted. It has been pain-free ever since. 

       Perhaps I had a better outcome than the average patient because my body’s state of being well nourished allowed my tooth to lay down secondary dentin at a greater rate and depth. It is certainly worth investigating with clinical research. Saving a tooth’s vitality and decreasing hypersensitive dentin with targeted nutrition is a treatment choice that is well worth exploring.