Living with sensitive teeth can be frustrating. You can’t eat or drink certain foods without feeling pain or an irritation. Sometimes the pain is sharp and sudden and other times you feel the sensitivity when taking hot or cold foods. If have sensitive teeth, we’ll show you how to can get some relief and help you understand what causes this condition.
What causes sensitive teeth?
Anyone can develop sensitive teeth overtime. This usually happens when the enamel is eroded or the roots of the teeth are left exposed. We’ll take a look at some of the common reasons why the teeth become sensitive.
Frequent teeth whitening procedures: Teeth whitening procedure is often used to remove stains and discoloration on the teeth and give a brighter smile. However, when you have too many whitening treatments, it could lead to tooth sensitivity. One of the main ingredients used during whitening procedures is peroxide, which can cause irritation to the tooth when overused.
Poor brushing techniques: When you use a toothbrush that has hard bristles, you end up wearing down the enamel. This leaves the tooth exposed and more sensitive. Most dentists will recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles as it doesn’t wear down the enamel causing more problems in the future.
Demineralization: The tooth enamel has minerals that decrease overtime. When the mineral content decreases, it’s known as demineralization and it causes the teeth to become more sensitive. Demineralization of the enamel also exposes the teeth to infection. Keep in mind that the enamel cannot be regenerated or restored since it’s not a growing tissue. The best way to avoid demineralization is to minimize the intake of sugary and acidic foods and drinks.
Grinding of teeth: Poor habits like grinding your teeth can also contribute to sensitivity. Grinding causes the teeth to wear down. It can also contribute to chips and cracks on the tooth. When grinding, you risk damaging the tooth’s enamel and exposing the inner layers of your dentin, which results in sensitivity as well as decay.
Poor diet: Tooth sensitivity can also be as a result of a poor diet. When your diet consists of foods that are acidic and sugary, it can cause the enamel to erode and increase your risk of sensitivity. Avoid consuming too many acidic foods and drinks to protect your enamel from wearing out.
How to deal with sensitive teeth
There are a variety of dental treatments and procedures for sensitive teeth. If you are suffering from tooth sensitivity, we recommend any of the following solutions:
- Use a dental sealant that a dentist applies on the teeth to help reduce sensitivity. However, this is a temporary solution as the sealant eventually wears off.
- Wear a mouthguard if you experience sensitivity due to teeth grinding especially when you sleep at night. A custom-fitted mouthguard can help reduce the pain of sensitive teeth and other symptoms like headaches, which you may be experiencing.
- Use a fluoride gel or varnish to reduce the pain and discomfort of sensitive teeth. The fluoride varnish strengthens the enamel and dentin.
- If you’ve tried most of the treatments mentioned above but none of them have worked, consider getting a root canal. This procedure involves removing the pulp or soft nerve tissue inside your tooth that’s causing the pain or discomfort.
