The sharp pain in your tooth when you eat ice cream or have a sip of hot coffee is one of the most common dental problems. But the cause of sensitivity is very simple and once you know what it is, you can fix the problem.
What Sensitivity Actually Is
Under the enamel of your teeth is the dentine layer. This is made up of many tiny tubes which lead off from the surface of the tooth to the nerve at the centre. When your enamel is worn (due to over brushing or acidity) or your gum has receded (due to gum disease, over brushing or with age), these tubes are exposed. When you consume hot, cold, sweet or acidic food and drink, these substances pass through the open up the dentine tubes and cause pain to be felt by the nerve. The NHS explains why you have sensitive teeth and how your nerve responds to the triggers that cause pain.
Brushing Too Hard
There is a misconception that using a hard-bristled brush and very tough toothpaste is better for cleaning teeth. In fact, it can wear away the enamel on your teeth, particularly round the gum line. It can also cause the gums to retreat. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and using the bristles to clean teeth instead of pressing hard with the whole brush is all that is needed. Use circular motions and clean all surfaces of teeth for two minutes, twice a day.
Acidic Food And Drink
Fizzy, acidic or salty drinks such as colas, fruit juices, wines, cordials and some herbal teas can all soften tooth enamel for a short time. This can be particularly problematic if consumed frequently throughout the day, with little time for the enamel to recover between drinks. Drinking acidic beverages in one sitting is better than regularly sipping them throughout the day, and rinsing the mouth with water rather than brushing soon after consuming acidic foods and drinks can also help to prevent further damage to softened enamel.
Receding Gums
Gum recession can be caused by gum disease, overcleaning with hard bristles or even just getting older. When gums do pull back, the roots of teeth are exposed. Teeth roots have no enamel covering on them, and therefore can become sensitive to temperature and even to pressure from eating and speaking.
Grinding Your Teeth At Night
Dental erosion is caused by teeth grinding and can lead to wear of the teeth. Grinding of teeth is common and can occur during sleep without the person being aware of it. Teeth grinding can cause headaches and lead to a tight jaw on waking. By wearing a night guard at night the teeth can no longer be worn down by grinding.
A Cracked Tooth Or Filling
A cracked tooth or a faulty filling can cause sensitivity. Even though the symptoms may be confined to one tooth, which may be painful when you bite and/or eat, the tooth itself needs to be examined by a dentist as a tooth with a crack can get worse. In the meantime a painful tooth cannot be masked indefinitely by sensitivity toothpaste. It may become infected.
Whitening And Recent Treatment
Dental whitening can temporarily cause sensitivity when using toothpaste, eating or drinking for a few days after treatment. Fillings, crowns, inlays and onlays can also cause sensitivity when first placed and until you get used to them. This is usually a temporary problem and can take a few weeks to clear completely. However, if your teeth continue to be sensitive for long after these treatments, it’s worth checking with the dentist that carried out the work to see if there is a problem with the fillings, etc.
When It’s More Than A Niggle
Mild sensitivity between occasions of consumption of very hot or very cold foods and drinks affecting teeth is generally a minor condition that can be treated using a sensitivity toothpaste and brushed onto teeth on a regular basis as this forms a barrier within the dentine tubules to prevent stimuli from reaching the nerve. If you are looking for Dentist Bournemouth, see Gentle Dentistry.
Dental sensitivity is a common dental condition that can be easily managed once its cause has been identified. However, don’t ignore your teeth. Listen to them and don’t change to another toothpaste before having assessed the reasons for your sensitivity.
