AboutStephen J. Moss Expertise I am a professor emeritus at New York University, with a background that includes extensive research, scientific writing and biology. I also am an international consultant in health education, particularly in developing education on new science for health professionals and consumers. I am a past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, former head of the NYU Division of Oral Biology and I represent the World Dental Federation at the United Nations. I travel around the world to provide health education to professionals and consumers.
Experience Having retired from New York Universit, where I directed the pediatric dentistry training program, a walk-in dental clinic and research on oral biology, I formalized my professional and consumer health education initiative in the form of Health Education Enterprises. This entity consults and provides information on new science pertaining to oral and general health, particularly leading edge concepts that can be employed in the health professions to improve the public's health. As such, I am an expert in communicating new science and its usefulness to professional and lay audiences alike. I also had a pediatric dentistry practice in New York City for nearly 30 years.
Organizations I am affiliated with the American Dental Association, the World Dental Federation, the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry among other formal organizations. My experience has included a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and work at the Forsythe Dental Research Center
Publications lpha Omegan USA, Nowa Stomatologia Poland, Journal of Public Health Dentistry, The Journal of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry USA, News Bulletin Japan, Journal of Marmara University Dental Faculty Turkey, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Italy, Asian Dentist Singapore, The Journal of the Israel Dental Association Israel, ROBRAC Brazil, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
Italy, FDI World, STOMA Portugal, Pediatric Dentistry The Philippines, Modern Stomatology Bulgaria, Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry India
Education/Credentials I obtained a doctor of dental science (DDS) degree, a master of science degree and am a board certified pediatric dentist.
Question Hi, what causes sensitive teeth?
I am 21/female
I had braces for 5 years
In the past 2-ish years, the teeth on the left side of my mouth have become sensitive to sweet foods.
I have gone to the dentist 4 times about my teeth, they say there is nothing wrong.
If I have sweet food in my mouth (cookie, muffin, waffles with syrup) I will experience pain similar to being stabbed by a dentist into an open cavity.
Dentists I have gone to say nothing is wrong, there's nothing there.
I have been brushing with Crest sensitivity extra strength toothpaste since 2007, when the pain started.
What causes this sensitivity, and why to only sweet food? Is there something I can do to reverse it or something?
(yes, I do drink a lot of soda)
Answer Dear Kayla,
Your problem is not too unusual .
you are probably right handed and are brushing away the enamel and cementum on the teeth on your upper left side.
My suggestion, try not to brush the area for a week or two, if you absolutely must clean the area do it only once a day very very gently and leave a tiny bit of the toothpaste on the teeth.
Whenever you can during the day chew some sugarfree gum, the saliva will help remineralize the teethand decrease sensitivity. Try to cut down on soda, and juices for a week or so.
Give this therapy about at least 10-14 days and let me know if you are not feeling much better.
All the best.
Dr. Moss
