I have had some pain for a couple of months on three teeth, and the top one being extremely sensitive, whenever drinking even room temperature water, and hot and cold foods. I go to a dentist who is usually very good at what he does, but he does not volunteer information nor explain what he is doing and will answer my questions but not lengthy answers. As I have had previous bad experiences with other Dentists, I have learnt to just accept his bedside manner, as I have always been pleased with the work he does (up until today!). I told him that I thought that I might need 3 fillings and explained why. He laughed and said nah - I will take care of it. He gave me a check up, a cleaning, and then x-rays. Before I could say a thing he began swabbing the areas of the teeth that were causing me grief, and I thought... he was getting ready for an injection to freeze, but he kept on and on :eek: and then swabbing with what seemed like a liquid , the other sensitive teeth, and then decided to swab several others, in other places in my mouth. I could not ask him anything :mad: as I was not able to talk, and then he told me to not swallow for a few minutes, and then he instructed me to rinse and tell him if I am still having the sensitivity from the room temperature water... well, unfortunately I was STILL having the extreme pain :(... he then said OK, we will need to take care of that at another appt. So I got off the chair and felt upset as my entire mouth felt as if I had rinsed with an astringent... an odd tight sort of feeling, which I still have, (now it is 6 hours later. :( I went to the front desk with him and asked what he just did!:confused: He explained it was called desensitizing. And then left the room and I followed as he was looking at the x-rays. I asked so I do not have any cavities?! And then he pointed to a spot and said here this seems to be the problem. I am a bit upset as I was not told or explained what it was he was going to do and that he was going to be using a chemical and that I was going to have this odd feeling afterwards. I would like to have been reassued not to worry and explained what he did, why, etc.etc...
QUESTIONS: I am quite concerned and would like to know if someone can give me any information about the chemical he was swabbing on several teeth? Am I having this astringent type of tight feeling on the area on the inside of my lips (they feel sort of wrinkled when I pass my tongue over the areas) because he should have been more careful in not allowing any of this liquid to go anywhere else besides the teeth to be treated? Should one be feeling burning sensation ? > During the procedure I was thinking at how he was swabbing this liquid all over the place in my mouth (it felt as if he was a bit sloppy... I was thinking shouldn't he be painting it on?? ) as I could feel it burning the mucous areas of my gums, inner cheeks etc... As he is going on vacation, I was only able to book an appt. to remove the old filling and fix up the tooth in three weeks, (so I will just have to live with the sensitivity), and before I left I asked how long he has been using this product and he said 10 years. Any remarks, any information on what this liquid to desensitize and it's safety- is it correct to have this burning and astringent feeling for so many hours later, etc. etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!

I think the desensitizing agent was a strong fluoride solution. It's pretty innocuous if you don't swallow lots of it so that's why he wasn't being particularly careful. It can irritate the gums for a while. They use this stuff in desensitizing toothpastes but his solution is probably even more concentrated. It obviously did not help, so his guess as to what was causing the problem was wrong. He apparently has some idea about what is causing you pain. I'm not sure what he is going to do now.

It sounds like either you live with the procedure or you live with the sensitivity.

I found this
Glutardialdehyde, purified water, and hydroxymethacrylate; and various desensitizing products based on "4-META" methacrylate bonding agents. Essentially, these material plug the microscopic pores in teeth that cause sensitivity.

Desensitizing medications (dental procedure) Overview at ToothIQ

. The brand "Gluma", which is very popular in dental offices, contains35% hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 5% glutaraldehyde, a dentin desensitizing agent.


I'd call the office to find out what the dentist applied. If it WAS Gluma then he was obvioulsy not applying it properly hence the reason for your teeth to still be sensitive!

The following is from the manufacturer of Gluma's website. Now I am just guessing that is what he used but as I said, it's best to call to find out.


Dosage and Administration Treatment of hypersensitive dentine
The treatment of hypersensitive dentinal surfaces is only indicated in cases of severe pain in reactions to thermal, osmotic or tactile stimuli. In cases of mild pain, alternative treatments such as desensitizing toothpastes should be used.
• Clean the dentine (e.g. with cleansing pumice), under local anaesthesia if necessary, and then rinse off with water.
• Protect mucous membranes by using a rubber dam. Make sure that GLUMA Desensitizer only comes into contact with the area to be treated.
• Apply the smallest possible amount of GLUMA Desensitizer required for treatment to the dentinal surface using pellets or brushes and then leave for 30-60 seconds.
• Then dry the surface carefully by applying a stream of compressed air until the fluid film has disappeared and the surface is no longer shiny. Then rinse thoroughly with water.
• Deep cavities and/or areas near the pulp should be covered with a suitable cavity lining before the desensitizer is applied.
If a single application of GLUMA Desensitizer does not produce sufficient and sustained pain relief, the treatment can be repeated at the same or a subsequent appointment before alternative treatments are used.

Harmful, contains glutardialdehyde, 2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate
• It is a local irritant and has toxic effects. • Appropriate precautions should always be taken before using GLUMA Desensitizer. • Only dispense the smallest possible amount necessary for the treatment. • Harmful by inhalation. • Irritating to respiratory system. • Irritating to skin. • Risk of serious damage to eyes. • May cause sensitization by inhalation. • May cause sensitization by skin contact. • In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. • Wear suitable gloves. • Wear eye/face protection. • Do not breathe vapour/spray. • Avoid contact with skin.


Are there any precautions to take with Gluma Desensitizer?
Yes. Avoid contact with soft tissues. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly.

Good luck!

Thanks!:)

GLUMA is pretty harmless dude, it can damage tissues if applied in large amounts for a long time. NO ONE uses a rubber dam with it... did you try Sensodyne toothpaste yet?

Real bad sensitivity to hot/cold may require a filling, crown, or even a root canal

There are a number of causes for sensitivity. Normally though if a tooth is sensitive to hot it means the nerve is dying. However, I find it difficult to believe that you would have 3 teeth die at the same time. I guess it could happen though, anything can happen.

There could be acid erosion, recession or your bite could be off. You may be grinding or clenching your teeth. If stress levels have been high lately you may be grinding your teeth while you sleep.

Your dentist is obligated to inform you of what he finds and discuss treatment options with you. INFORMED CONSENT!!! Don't be so trusting, ask questions and don't stop until you are satisfied with his answers. Have him show you what teeth he is talking about with his intra oral camera and/or hand mirror. If he won't give you the time for this kind of explanation I'd suggest you get out of his chair and find another dentist. People give dentists and doctors too much of their trust. You are your best advocate.

Thank you for your opinions! When I asked him how long he has been using this product - (he said ten years), he also decided to tell me "and it costs $50,000.00 for a gallon"!

Well, you know that saying: You learn something new every day... well, I learnt a life lesson yesterday, and from now on I will NOT allow myself to be intimidated by anyone and I will stand up for myself and always ASK BEFOREHAND and let them know that it IS MY BODY and I need to decide whether I wish for them to proceed - I MUST have explanations, especially since I am an "alternative-holistic" type - the thought of now having this chemical:eek: inside my body is frightening :(:mad:

I believe that he should have explained and obtained my consent to this procedure.

You are RIGHT Violet, you should have been informed of what he was going to do. And with his comment about the price, it probably is GLUMA that he used. Perhaps you should print the directions for him!:p

"before taking any medicines or supplements check side effects and interactions" - YES!!
I absolutely agree with your advice, and I will from now on, from this "life lesson" I experienced yesterday - I will always make sure to be more assertive, and NOT allow anyone to just do whatever they like. (GRRRRRR)

Although I do respect him and find him to be a very good dentist, what makes me upset is that there actually WAS proof in the x-ray which he took, BEFORE he applied this desensitizing product - so therefore I could have had the option to say:" NO! DO NOT apply this product!! I want you to remove the old silver filling"(the last one remaining in my mouth as I have had over the years all the others removed and replaced with white ones!), and repair the CAVITY which IS SEEN in the x-ray!! I am a bit annoyed :mad: at myself... I should have been more swift,:( but truthfully, I thought that he was swabbing the area to prep it for the freezing...
Thank you very much for your reply and information - I appreciate this!

I feel that any chemical is NOT harmless! I have had discomfort from the product being on my inner cheeks, lips and tongue, and the Dentists MUST follow the instructions!!

I did not use Sensodyne, as I truly believed that I had cavities! And so now it IS proven, and seen on the x-ray that YES I DO have a cavity in that tooth... and as for the other teeth, when I go back to him, I will DEFINITELY ask him to show me the x-rays and ask him to review if there ARE cavities in those two other teeth also!

I do appreciate your time ;)

YES! I agree! I wish I would have had the opportunity to speak with him about this before he began putting this chemical all over the place!:eek:

YES!! Thank you for your opinions > lessons!;)