Hypersensitivity Management With Fluoride

By Megan R. Bilbee, RDH, BSDH, and Elizabeth I. Pitts, RDH, MS
Between 2010 and 2050, the United States population is projected to increase by 42% and by the year 2030, nearly one in five Americans will be 65 or older.1 As older adults are able to retain more teeth due to better prevention and intervention, the prevalence of dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) is expected to increase due to the high rate of gingival recession among older populations.2 DH is characterized by a short, sharp pain that arises from exposed dentin in response to thermal, tactile, or chemical stimuli.3 This pain ranges from slight to severe, and may significantly impact patients’ quality of life. The current prevalence of DH ranges from 3% to 98% depending on the diagnostic method used and the population studied.4 In older patients with periodontitis, the prevalence of DH can reach as high as 60% to 98%.2
* References can be found in the original article via the link below.
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