Common Causes of Sensitive Teeth
We’ve all felt it, whether it be a nice big bowl of ice cream or a spoonful of hot soup, sometimes your teeth are simply not up to the task and you’re greeted by a quick and unpleasant bout of pain.
For the most part, this sort of situation can be caused by an undiscovered cavity, though for some this can be a sign of sensitive teeth in general. It’s commonly described as “dentin hypersensitivity” and it’s pretty much exactly what you’d think it is, the pain felt in your teeth when you eat something too hot or too cold.
“But what causes this condition to occur? And how can I fix it?” – You ask.
Well, we have a handy guide ready for you to look through and learn from, simply keep reading!
Known Causes of Sensitive Teeth
Essentially, any issue relating to having over-sensitive teeth comes down to the enamel on your teeth being worn down, and as a result, most of the causes of sensitive teeth are to do with that. So what wears down the enamel in your teeth? Well, we’re glad you asked:
Grind Grind Grind
Grinding your teeth can be a culprit of this and the primary reason why so many parents worry about their children doing it. It commonly occurs in your sleep and may be the result of anxiety or poor sleeping habits. Your dentist may recommend a special mouthguard you can wear at night so that you can grind on that instead of your own teeth.
Acid Rain
Regularly drinking and eating food with high sugar and acid content can be detrimental to your enamel. If the acid stays on your teeth over a period of time it can wear away and erode your enamel. The best way to avoid this is to avoid the foods and drinks that have sugar and acid in abundance such as fizzy drinks, candy and sugary desserts. But we know it can be hard, so we recommend you drink or rinse your mouth with water.
A Receding Gum Line
Gum recession is another factor that contributes to sensitive teeth. Largely because the recession in the gums exposes the roots of the teeth to the elements. The roots can be more sensitive than the crown of the tooth.
Post Dental Work
In some cases, having complex dental work done can often lead to teeth feeling sensitive or tender to changes in temperature. Procedures such as getting fillings, crown or teeth bleaching, as well as getting braces installed, can cause some degree of sensitivity because of the amount of work these procedures entail. As a result, your teeth may feel tender in a manner not too dissimilar to a muscle that has been overworked when working out.
Treatment
So, after going through a whole host of causes, we think it would just be unfair of us to not go through some treatments as well.
Most treatments for sensitive teeth are easy to access as over-the-counter items and usually take the form of specially formulated toothpaste that includes a desensitising agent to ease discomfort. You can use the toothpaste and rub it on the spot of the sensitive tooth, and leave it on overnight. Similarly, extra soft toothbrushes work well to reduce irritation and allow the enamel of the tooth to slowly build back up when given enough time.
If your teeth still remain sensitive after trying that, then it’s definitely time to call your local East Ipswich emergency dentist and book an appointment as soon as possible.
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