Reasons Behind Sensitive Teeth: Information Available & Treatments
Dr. Andre Eliasian is a Dentist practicing in Glendale, CA. Dr. Eliasian specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures,... more
Do you feel any pain in your teeth when licking an ice cream or taking a spoon full of some hot ingredient? While pain from cold or hot foods may indicate a cavity, it's also common in people with sensitive teeth. Talking about sensitivity, it's a common dental problem that includes pain or discomfort in the teeth at the time of encountering different types of substances and temperatures. When someone has sensitive teeth, numerous activities like eating, drinking, and brushing can provide sharp or temporary pain in the teeth.
The point of origin describes the cause and treatment of the sensation when sensitivity arises suddenly. The thing that causes sensitive teeth all of a sudden can be whether the sensitivity is originating from one tooth or several.
Causes of Sensitive Teeth
Talking about healthy teeth, the enamel is responsible to safeguard the underlying layer of dentin that is softer than enamel, and tooth roots are protected by gums. But when the enamel gets worn down or if the gum line has receded, the dentin becomes exposed. Various conditions like root erosion, enamel, gum recession, cracked teeth, and cavities can cause dentin to be exposed.
There are different types of causes by which conditions like sensitive teeth takes place. In order to find out the causes behind sensitive teeth, the dentist will recommend an oral exam and may ask about the details when the patient feels flashes of pain. One of the main things to be aware of is your diet. Consuming hard or acidic foods can lead to tooth sensitivity. Even citrus fruits, juices, and sports drinks may contribute to the same.
Another cause may be brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush or brushing your teeth with aggression. That’s why to take proper care of your teeth, you should apply a soft-bristled toothbrush and move it gently inside all portions of the mouth. Some individuals have a habit of eating ice, which is very bad for teeth. If someone chews on ice, there are chances that it can crack the tooth’s enamel or grind it down over time. That’s why you should protect your teeth from things that can cause sensitivity.
One more lifestyle factor by which there can be an adverse effect on teeth’s health is stress. This can lead to tooth damage if it causes a person to grind their teeth, which in turn can lead to sensitivity. Talking about pregnancy, it doesn’t directly cause sensitivity in teeth but there are some hormonal changes that can affect the gums of a woman that might result in some pain or discomfort.
A sinus infection may also lead to making the teeth hurt due to the inflammation and pressure of the sinuses swelling. if you experience pain in your teeth and head when bending over, you may have a sinus infection. Also, a small cavity may be responsible for eating away the tooth enamel which exposes dentin and brings tooth sensitivity.
Tooth Sensitivity to Cold
We told you about the different causes of sensitive teeth, but have you ever thought, why is my tooth sensitive to cold foods? There are numerous reasons behind this question which we’ll try to explain.
The first thing is the cracks present in the teeth. Over time, they can take place as the teeth enlarge and contract with exposure to cold and hot temperatures. The cracks present in the teeth deliver another pathway to the nerves that make teeth sensitive to cold foods and drinks. You can have an oral exam to look for lines that could signal microscopic cracks.
The second thing which we’ll talk about is gum disease or tooth decay. If a person is experiencing a sensitivity to cold, they might be in the initial stages of gum disease or tooth decay. If there is an increase in plaque on the teeth, gums can cause tooth sensitivity by leading to gum disease or tooth decay.
If you feel constant sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, you should have them inspected. Inspect the gum line to explore whether the gums are pulling away from the teeth. Receding gums make hot and cold temperatures more likely to affect the nerves in the teeth.
Most people in the world will at some point be grinding their teeth. Tooth grinding, also referred to as bruxism, is able to wear away the tooth enamel and expose the nerves. Excessive tooth grinding can lead to teeth becoming sensitive to the hot and cold.
Treatments for Sensitive Teeth
Talking about the remedies for sensitive teeth, if the sensitivity is mild, try over-the-counter dental treatments. Along with that, you’ll have to do homework to find out the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Toothpaste made particularly for sensitive teeth does not have irritating ingredients. They may have desensitizing ingredients which assist to block the distress from the tooth’s nerve.
When choosing a mouthwash for sensitive teeth, you need one without alcohol in it, which will be less irritating. You can also choose softer toothbrushes. Also, you’ll have to be gentler when it comes to brushing your teeth. To help identify tooth sensitivity, your dentist can do an oral exam and take x-rays. If your teeth are sensitive due to topical issues like consuming acidic foods and drinks, or you are using tooth whitening products, you will be advised to ease off.
If you do have gum diseases or receding gums, you will be treated for any infection in the gums. A deep dental cleaning comprised of root scaling along with planning is helpful to eradicate tartar and plaque from around the gum line. In severe cases, the surgeon can also recommend an antibiotic.
When teeth feel very sensitive, you may experience a sharp or shooting tooth pain. After this, your first priority should be visiting the dentist. If you have an oral health condition that is affecting your day-to-day lifestyle, have a professional check it.
If sensitivity is occurring from a decayed or cracked tooth, the tooth should be professionally cleaned and sealed. Otherwise, there can be a risk of developing an infection. At the start of receding gums or gum disease, the gums will pull away from the tooth and the tooth may become loose. Take care of your oral hygiene and visit the dentist if any dental issues come up.
