If you have sensitive teeth, you know how much this condition can impact your quality of life. Simple tasks like brushing your teeth, eating, and drinking can cause significant discomfort.
Patients with sensitive teeth want to know why they experience this problem and how to solve it. This blog will uncover the possible answers.
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
The primary cause of tooth sensitivity is when the dentin inside your tooth becomes exposed. Dentin is the layer underneath the enamel. Any loss of the natural tooth enamel that protects the dentin can lead to sensitivity. Your teeth may experience sensitivity when exposed to heat, cold, or sweet foods or beverages.
Underlying issues that can lead to sensitivity include:
- Age: The age range where teeth are most sensitive is between 25 and 30.
- Excess wear on enamel due to brushing too hard or teeth grinding
- Gum disease: Gum disease damages the support structures holding your teeth in place, exposing the roots.
- Gum recession: When gums recede due to hard brushing or aging, they expose sensitive surfaces without protective enamel.
- Cracked or broken teeth: Cracked teeth often cause sudden, severe sensitivity. You may not know that you have a cracked tooth until you develop symptoms.
- Infection: Decay may expose the dentin and go deeper into the tooth, causing extreme sensitivity.
- Teeth whitening: Excess whitening frequently causes sensitivity. Professional treatments are safer than over-the-counter products.
Solutions for Tooth Sensitivity
- Sensitivity toothpaste: Over-the-counter or prescription products help remedy sensitivity by blocking the tiny tubules in the dentin or easing pain.
- Root canals: A root canal can alleviate sensitivity in a broken, cracked, or infected tooth by removing the infected pulp and replacing it with a biocompatible filling. Most root canal-treated teeth also receive crowns to protect them long-term and restore chewing ability.
- Gum grafting: Some patients need gum graft surgery, where tissue from other parts of the mouth covers the exposed roots.
Protecting Your Teeth From Sensitivity
Brush Carefully
Avoid using toothbrushes with medium or stiff bristles. Soft bristles do the job with less potential for damage.
Treat Broken Teeth Immediately
The sooner you receive treatment for a cracked or broken tooth, the less likely you will experience sensitivity that interferes with eating and drinking.
Whiten With Caution
Over-the-counter whitening products are significantly more likely to cause sensitivity than professional treatments. One reason this problem occurs is that patients are likely to overuse over-the-counter whiteners or misuse them. Dentists use advanced techniques to whiten teeth safely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Sensitivity
If I develop sudden sensitivity, what should I do?
Call your dentist immediately. You may have a cracked, broken, or infected tooth. If a tooth infection continues, it may spread to other teeth, endangering your gums and bone.
What types of stimuli could make my tooth sensitive?
Patients with sensitive teeth and healthy nerves are most likely to have difficulties when eating cold, hot, or sweet foods. Patients with unhealthy nerves inside their teeth (cracked, broken, or infected teeth) may experience extreme reactions to ordinary actions like chewing.
Call Chagrin Falls Dental
If you have sensitive teeth, we can help. We will determine the cause and find effective treatment options. Please call our Chagrin Falls, OH, office at 440-247-8641 to schedule a consultation.