Tooth Sensitivity: What Causes It And How To Treat It

Do You Feel A Sharp Pain Or Discomfort In Your Teeth When You Eat Ice Cream, Drink Hot Coffee, Or Brush Your Teeth? If So, You May Have Tooth Sensitivity, A Common Dental Problem That Affects Millions Of People Worldwide1.

Tooth Sensitivity Is A Type Of Dental Pain That Occurs When The Underlying Layer Of The Teeth (Dentin) Becomes Exposed1. Dentin Contains Tiny Tubules That Allow Stimuli Such As Hot, Cold, Sweet Or Acidic Foods To Reach The Nerve Of The Tooth2.

When This Happens, You May Experience A Sudden And Unpleasant Sensation That Can Range From Mild To Intense3.

In This Blog Post, We Will Provide You With Some Useful Information On The Causes, Symptoms And Treatments Of Tooth Sensitivity. We Will Also Give You Some Tips On How To Prevent And Manage This Condition And Improve Your Oral Health.

Causes Of Tooth Sensitivity

There Are Several Factors That Can Lead To The Development Of Tooth Sensitivity, Such As:

• Brushing Too Hard Or Using A Hard-Bristled Toothbrush2. This Can Wear Down The Enamel, The Protective Outer Layer Of The Tooth, And Expose The Dentin Underneath.

• Gum Recession Due To Genetics Or Periodontal Disease2. This Can Cause The Gums To Pull Away From The Teeth And Reveal The Roots, Which Are Not Covered By Enamel And Are More Sensitive.

• Cracked Or Broken Teeth That Allow Bacteria To Enter The Pulp2. This Can Cause Inflammation And Infection Of The Nerve Tissue Inside The Tooth, Resulting In Pain And Sensitivity.

• Teeth Grinding Or Clenching That Wears Down The Enamel2. This Can Also Create Tiny Cracks Or Fractures In The Teeth That Can Expose The Dentin Or The Pulp.

• Teeth Whitening Products That Contain Harsh Chemicals24. These Can Penetrate The Enamel And Irritate The Nerve Endings In The Dentin, Causing Temporary Or Permanent Sensitivity.

• Age (Tooth Sensitivity Is Highest Between 25 And 30 Years Old)2. This Is Because The Enamel Tends To Thin Over Time And Become More Vulnerable To Erosion And Damage.

• Plaque Buildup On The Root Surfaces2. This Can Cause The Gums To Recede And Expose The Roots, As Well As Erode The Cementum, A Thin Layer That Covers And Protects The Roots.

• Mouthwash Use With Acidic Ingredients2. This Can Also Erode The Enamel And Dentin, Especially If You Use It Frequently Or For A Long Time.

• Acidic Foods And Beverages That Erode The Enamel2. These Include Citrus Fruits, Tomatoes, Vinegar, Wine, Soda, Etc. They Can Also Make The Dentin More Porous And Sensitive.

• Recent Dental Procedures Such As Fillings, Crowns Or Teeth Cleaning13. These Can Cause Temporary Sensitivity Due To Changes In Pressure Or Temperature In The Affected Teeth. The Sensitivity Usually Subsides After A Few Days Or Weeks.

Symptoms Of Tooth Sensitivity

The Typical Signs And Symptoms Of Tooth Sensitivity Are:

• Pain Or Discomfort In The Teeth As A Response To Certain Stimuli1. The Pain May Be Sharp, Throbbing, Shooting Or Dull, Depending On The Severity And Duration Of The Exposure.

• Feeling The Pain At The Roots Of The Affected Teeth1. This Is Because The Roots Are More Sensitive Than The Crowns Of The Teeth Due To Their Lack Of Enamel.

• Having Symptoms That Come And Go Over Time For No Obvious Reason1. This Is Because Tooth Sensitivity Can Be Influenced By Various Factors Such As Weather, Diet, Oral Hygiene Habits, Etc.

• Having Symptoms That Range From Mild To Intense1. This Depends On How Much Dentin Is Exposed And How Close It Is To The Nerve Of The Tooth.

• Having One Tooth, Several Teeth Or All The Teeth Affected By Sensitivity1. This Depends On How Widespread And Uniform The Enamel Erosion Or Dentin Exposure Is.

Treatments For Tooth Sensitivity

The Treatment For Tooth Sensitivity Depends On The Cause And Severity Of The Condition23. Some Cases Of Mild To Moderate Tooth Sensitivity Can Be Treated At Home With Simple Remedies And Preventive Measures.

However, If Home Remedies Do Not Work Or If Tooth Sensitivity Is Severe Or Persistent, You Should See A Dentist For Professional Treatment.

Some Home Remedies And Preventive Measures That Can Help With Tooth Sensitivity Are:

• Using A Soft-Bristled Toothbrush And Gentle Strokes When Brushing23. This Can Prevent Further Damage To The Enamel And Dentin And Reduce Irritation To The Nerve Endings.

• Using A Desensitizing Toothpaste That Contains Ingredients Such As Potassium Nitrate Or Fluoride To Block The Tubules In The Dentin23. This Can Reduce The Transmission Of Stimuli To The Nerve And Decrease The Sensitivity Over Time. You Should Use The Toothpaste Regularly And Apply It Directly To The Sensitive Areas With Your Finger Or A Cotton Swab.

• Avoiding Acidic Foods And Drinks Or Rinsing With Water After Consuming Them23. This Can Prevent Or Minimize The Erosion Of The Enamel And Dentin And Neutralize The Acidity In The Mouth.

• Wearing A Mouthguard At Night If You Grind Your Teeth23. This Can Protect Your Teeth From Excessive Wear And Tear And Prevent Cracks Or Fractures That Can Expose The Dentin Or The Pulp.

• Limiting The Use Of Teeth Whitening Products Or Choosing Ones That Are Suitable For Sensitive Teeth24. This Can Prevent Or Reduce The Irritation Of The Nerve Endings In The Dentin Caused By Peroxide Or Other Chemicals.

• Seeing A Dentist If Home Remedies Do Not Work Or If Tooth Sensitivity Is Severe Or Persistent23. This Is Important To Rule Out Any Underlying Dental Problems That May Require Treatment, Such As Cavities, Infections, Abscesses, Etc.

Some Dental Procedures That Can Treat Tooth Sensitivity Caused By More Serious Issues Are:

• Applying Fluoride Gel Or Varnish To Strengthen The Enamel And Reduce Pain23. This Can Be Done By Your Dentist In The Office Or At Home With A Custom-Made Tray. Fluoride Can Also Help Remineralize The Enamel And Dentin And Make Them More Resistant To Erosion And Decay.

• Applying A Bonding Agent To Seal The Exposed Root Surfaces And Protect Them From Stimuli23. This Is A Simple And Painless Procedure That Involves Applying A Tooth-Colored Resin Material To The Affected Areas. Bonding Can Also Improve The Appearance Of Your Teeth By Covering Any Discoloration Or Defects.

• Performing A Root Canal Treatment To Remove The Inflamed Pulp And Restore The Tooth With A Crown Or Filling23. This Is A More Invasive And Complex Procedure That Involves Drilling Into The Tooth, Removing The Infected Or Damaged Nerve Tissue, Filling The Empty Space With A Rubber-Like Material, And Capping The Tooth With A Restoration. Root Canal Treatment Can Eliminate Pain And Sensitivity Permanently, As Well As Prevent Further Complications Such As Tooth Loss Or Bone Infection.

• Performing A Surgical Gum Graft To Cover The Exposed Roots And Reduce Sensitivity2. This Is A Surgical Procedure That Involves Taking A Piece Of Gum Tissue From Another Part Of Your Mouth And Attaching It To The Receded Area. Gum Grafting Can Also Improve The Appearance Of Your Smile By Restoring A Healthy Gum Line.

Conclusion

Tooth Sensitivity Is A Common Dental Problem That Can Cause Pain And Discomfort In Your Teeth When You Encounter Certain Stimuli, Such As Hot, Cold, Sweet Or Acidic Foods.

It Is Caused By Various Factors That Expose The Dentin, The Underlying Layer Of The Teeth That Contains Nerve Endings. Tooth Sensitivity Can Be Treated With Home Remedies, Such As Using Desensitizing Toothpaste, Avoiding Acidic Foods, Or Wearing A Mouthguard.

However, If These Do Not Work Or If Tooth Sensitivity Is Severe Or Persistent, You Should See A Dentist For Professional Treatment, Such As Applying Fluoride Gel, Bonding, Root Canal Treatment, Or Gum Grafting.

Tooth Sensitivity Can Be Prevented And Managed By Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene And Regular Dental Check-Ups. By Brushing Gently With A Soft-Bristled Toothbrush, Flossing Daily, Using Fluoride Products, And Visiting Your Dentist Every Six Months, You Can Keep Your Teeth Healthy And Strong And Avoid Enamel Erosion And Dentin Exposure.

You Can Also Limit Or Avoid Foods And Drinks That Are Acidic, Sugary, Or Extreme In Temperature, As Well As Teeth Whitening Products That Contain Harsh Chemicals.

We Hope This Blog Post Has Helped You Understand More About Tooth Sensitivity And How To Treat It.

If You Have Any Feedback, Questions Or Experiences With Tooth Sensitivity, Please Feel Free To Share Them In The Comments Section Below. We Would Love To Hear From You!

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