Main Image Via MGA Dental
Tooth sensitivity varies from one person to another. Scientists believe that the reason why biting down on ice-cream/ice or drinking something really cold causes excruciating pain for some people is the target called ‘TRPC5’.
They have located the cells and signals in sensitive teeth that trigger toothache and brain jolt when exposed to different temperatures. People with dental decay too are prone to such discomfort because the pathway is exposed. This gives opportunities to new treatments such as toothpastes, dental patches or chewing gum to attack these targets.
According to an article in the journal Science Advances, Prof Katharina Zimmerman explained, “Once you have a molecule to target, there is a possibility of treatment”.
The target ‘TRPC5’ is traced back to a specific cell type - the odontoblast - that resides between the soft inner pulp and the hard outer layer of teeth composed of dentine, then enamel, according to Prof Zimmermann’s team at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany.
The dentine is way more sensitive compared to the enamel. This is because it connects to the innermost pulp where nerve cells live. If it is exposed, following tooth decay or gum disease for example, painful stimuli such as certain liquids or temperature will cause excruciating pain.
Mice and humans were studied to understand how the pain arises, recording what was happening in cells and nerves. "In human teeth with pits and dental caries we found a much upregulated number of TRPC5 channels, and therefore we believe that engineering a TRPC5 blocker that can be locally applied to teeth via strips or chewing gum would probably be a great help in treating tooth pain or dentine hypersensitivity.”, Dr Zimmermann told the BBC.
Although it is not recommended, there is a home remedy to ease your pain. The most common would be clove oil - it contains a chemical called eugenol that blocks this TRPC5 pathway.
However, do see a dentist when you are experiencing any worrying toothache. Prof Damien Walmsley from the British Dental Association (BDA) said blocking the pain might provide temporary relief, but it was vital to treat and prevent the cause. Brushing regularly could stop tooth and gum disease, he advised.
"The research is interesting but we can't ignore the underlying causes of tooth sensitivity, nor people's perception of pain. Dentists can treat the cause by removing the tooth decay, and advise on toothpaste for sensitive teeth."
He also mentioned that in the future, TRPC5 blocking agents might be included in toothpastes and dental products to prevent the pain of sensitivity.
Info Via BBC News