16 Aug Teeth Sensitivity
Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?
Patients who have sensitive teeth find that eating or drinking certain things, or consuming substances with hot or cold temperatures, leads to pain or discomfort in their teeth. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, at least 40 million American adults deal with sensitive teeth.
The pain or discomfort of tooth sensitivity may be sharp and sudden, although temporary. It normally occurs when you are exposed to certain things, such as hot and cold beverages, which affects the exposed nerve endings of your sensitive tooth. The good news is that sensitive teeth can be effectively treated after the cause has been determined by your dentist.
Some factors that can lead to sensitive teeth include:
Overly vigorous brushing or using a toothbrush with hard bristles that wears down tooth enamel.
Gum recession experienced by patients with gum disease.
Cracked teeth. Cracks can allow for the entry of bacteria, which can inflame the dental pulp.
Teeth grinding that wears down tooth enamel.
Certain types of dental procedures. This type of tooth sensitivity should fade within a few weeks once the treated teeth recover from the procedure.
Teeth Whitening
Something else that sometimes causes tooth sensitivity is undergoing a teeth whitening treatment. This is particularly true when patients buy over-the-counter teeth whitening products that have no professional supervision to prevent unnecessary contact of the whitening gel with sensitive gums. The peroxide used in these products can also penetrate the tooth enamel and irritate teeth.
Why are my teeth sensitive?
Unless you’ve undergone some type of dental procedure recently, it may be difficult to pin down what is causing your tooth sensitivity. However, it’s important to make an appointment with your dentist soon to get to the bottom of things. Unless you address the underlying reason why your teeth are sensitive, you may find that the tooth sensitivity continues, although it may fluctuate in intensity from time to time.
What should I do until I can be examined by the dentist?
There are quite a few types of toothpastes available for sensitive teeth. Be sure you’re using a tooth paste containing fluoride for sensitive teeth, rather than tartar-control toothpaste. You may also want to apply a thin layer of the toothpaste onto your exposed tooth roots before bedtime.
Some other tips to deal with sensitive teeth before reaching your dentist:
Avoid spicy, hot and cold, and highly acidic foods.
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
Wash your mouth with a mouthwash containing fluoride each day.
Avoid grinding your teeth. Look into getting a mouthguard.
Reach Out
To request additional information about tooth sensitivity or to schedule an appointment for an examination, or any of our other dental treatments and procedures, please contact our office today.