Tooth Sensitivity: Causes And Prevention
By: Didsbury Smiles Dental | October 20, 2021
Cold food and drinks can make your sensitive teeth feel just like a burning mess. We have mentioned a few tips to make your mouth feel healthy always.
No matter whether it’s a big cup of iced tea or an ice cream cone, every individual has their favorite summer treat. This helps to keep ourselves cool during the extreme heat. When tooth sensitivity stands on our way to enjoying our favorite summertime snack, it is really painful.
Once the protective enamel layer that is present on your teeth starts to wear out, the dentin is exposed. Dentin is simply like our bones - it’s hard but still porous. It is created of tiny tubules that function as a route to the pulp and nerve of the tooth. Tubules give warning signs to the nerve in the form of pain that makes us realize that the protective enamel is worn out. The end result is acute pain when you take anything too hot or cold.
Tooth sensitivity and damaged enamel can occur due to multiple causes. Listed below are some of the major common causes.
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity and Damaged Enamel
- Clenching and grinding – Bruxism turns the thin film of enamel at the gumline wear off. Therefore, it reveals the dentin.
- Acidic diet – When you have a diet, heavy in acidic foods, for example, citrus fruits and soda, it can ultimately damage the enamel.
- Acid reflux – Reflux happens when your stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. If this is a severe problem that you are facing, the acids can gradually corrode your tooth enamel.
- Tooth decay – A very small cavity present in the tooth enamel is a simple fix. But if gone untreated, the decay will slowly eat away the enamel into the dentin, leading to pain.
- Hard-bristled toothbrushes or brushing too hard – When you start to use a hard-bristled toothbrush or if you put too much force whenever you are brushing, it wears down the tooth enamel and also exposes the dentin.
- Fractured teeth or worn or missing fillings – Whenever your tooth is broken or worn or your fillings have broken; it lets liquids, saliva, and food debris get into the crack or hole present in your tooth. Thus, it leads to uneasiness. Even a very small fracture can cause a lot of pain.
- Gum disease – Periodontal disease causes the gums to shrink back. The roots of the teeth are actually softer than the enamel and they have a greater chance of decay. When a person suffers from gum disease, the gums begin to recede, thus revealing this sensitive area. This sensitive part can lead to greater sensitivity even while breathing cold air.
Treatment Options
There are various methods to treat tooth sensitivity that are fast, painless, and cost-effective. Based on your level of sensitivity and cause, your Didsbury dentist may prescribe desensitizing toothpaste. This is just a baby step to get rid of the pain. There is plenty of toothpaste and gels available nowadays with various strengths.
When your cause is clenching or grinding, you may require wearing a dental appliance when you go to bed in order to stop further damage to your teeth. At times, more involved processes are vital to stop sensitivity. Gum grafts, root canal therapy, or crowns may be provided to fix this type of problem.
Tips to avoid teeth sensitivity
In maximum cases, tooth sensitivity can be prevented by -
- Using soft-bristled toothbrushes prescribed by your nearby dentist in Didsbury
- Cutting down the intake of acidic foods in your diet
- Brushing gently and not inserting too much pressure into your teeth
- Flossing on a daily basis
- Seeing your dentist/hygienist to get professional cleanings at least after every six months.
When you work together with your dental expert, you can simply enjoy your favorite summer treat, and can also get a healthy smile.
Get the Help you need!
You can get in touch with Didsbury Smiles Dental, if you want to get the best general dental care in Didsbury, AB. Our reliable dentist in Didsbury will always provide you with the quality care and comfort that you are searching for. We always do care about your oral health requirements and your valuable smile! We’re just a call away.
