Living with teeth sensitivity issues is an uncomfortable problem that typically results from subpar dental care. Luckily it can be treated with the right diet, proper home dental care, and dental assistance.
Heat and cold, pressure on your teeth and gums – these things can cause pain for people with sensitive teeth. The condition can make normally pleasant experiences like drinking coffee or eating ice cream things to be avoided.
There are a lot of reasons why a person’s teeth might become sensitive. The most common is worn tooth enamel. Enamel is essential to good tooth health. It is the protective barrier around teeth. If the enamel is worn down enough, a layer is exposed that allows stimulation of nerves and cells inside the tooth. Temperature fluctuations and other physical sensations such as acidic and sticky foods will then stimulate those nerves, causing pain and discomfort.
Periodontal disease is another common cause. It affects your gums and jawbone and will wear away at your gum tissue until the root surfaces of your teeth are exposed and sensitivity starts. Other causes include cavities (tooth decay of any kind) fractured teeth, and worn fillings. The common problem with any of these conditions is that they all relate to the exposure of that inner, sensitive part of the tooth.
Acidic foods, sugary beverages, and even some medications wear away your tooth enamel over time. Bad habits like teeth grinding will also damage enamel. Not brushing and flossing allows enamel-eroding food and drinks to do more damage and leave teeth prone to periodontal disease.
Those who suffer from dry mouth can also expect sensitive teeth. Saliva helps remove acids and debris, which protects your tooth enamel. Improper dental care can also be a problem. Brushing your teeth too hard can wear down enamel and cause gums to recede. Additionally, brushing immediately after meals can worsen the damage caused by acidic foods because those protective layers have been worn down.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat sensitive teeth. Start by limiting the amount of acidic foods you eat. Drink a lot of water when eating these foods; it will help dilute the acid. Brush and rinse after each meal, but remember that the best time to brush is at least half an hour after a meal, after saliva has had a chance to repair protective layers to teeth. It is important to learn how to go easy on teeth. People who grind their teeth can try relaxation techniques or use tooth guards when they sleep. Vigorous brushers should look into softer-bristled toothbrushes. Additionally, some toothpastes are less abrasive than others.