What is Tooth Sensitivity?
Have you ever eaten a spoonful of ice cream, or taken a sip of hot coffee only to experience a sharp pain or sensation of cold in your teeth? Do you experience pain when you brush or floss your teeth? If so, you are experiencing what is commonly referred to as tooth sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity is the common way of describing what dentists consider hypersensitivity of the tooth dentin and or tooth roots.
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
There are many causes for tooth sensitivity that include the following:
Wear and Tear over Time
Throughout our lifetime, our teeth will experience a certain amount of wear and tear. The normal wear and tear that occurs as we age can cause sensitive teeth.
Excessive Brushing or Brushing Too hard
Brushing your teeth excessively, especially with a hard bristled toothbrush can wear down the surface enamel and expose the dentin (the tissue of the tooth that is beneath the enamel).
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Bruxism is excessive grinding of the teeth and sometimes clenching of the jaw. Bruxism is fairly common, yet many people are unaware that they are grinding their teeth because it usually occurs at night during sleep.
An interesting fact about teeth grinding is that in some cases, it is actually the result of tooth sensitivity, where normally it is a cause.
Plaque Buildup
A buildup of plaque can cause problems with the gums around a tooth.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay near the gum line can cause tooth sensitivity.
Gum Disease and Receding Gums
Patients who suffer from gingivitis or gum recession are especially prone to tooth sensitivity as areas of the teeth that aren’t normally exposed to hot and cold food and drinks are unprotected.
Cracked or Broken Teeth
Any tooth that has a crack or chip in it can cause sensitivity due to food and drinks getting underneath the tooth enamel and into the sensitive dentin and root area.
Tooth Whitening Products
There are many different brands and types of tooth whitening products available over the counter today. These products can contain high levels of harsh whitening chemicals which can seep into dentin and cause sensitivity.
Mouth Wash
Long term use of mouth wash can result in erosion of the tooth enamel due to the acids that are found in most over the counter mouth wash formulations.
Food and Drinks with High Acid Content
Many foods contain high levels of acids that can wear away tooth enamel. Examples of highly acidic foods include the following:
– Citrus fruit including oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes etc.
– Tomatoes
– Corn
– Lentils
– Olives
– Squash
– Garlic and onions
– Spices like chili powder, pepper etc.
– Coffee
– Soda, cola in particular
Dental Treatments
Professional teeth whitening products, dental cleanings, braces, crowns, and fillings can all cause tooth sensitivity.
Why Does It Hurt?
In most cases, tooth sensitivity begins when the dentin or tooth pulp are exposed, as listed in the reasons shown above. Dentin is normally protected by healthy gums and tooth enamel. When something disrupts or breaks through the enamel, it can cause painful hot and cold sensitivity.
What Can I Do to Prevent Tooth Sensitivity?
There are steps you can take at home to help minimize tooth sensitivity, but keep in mind that you may need to see your dentist to get to the root of the issue.
Be sure to take the following steps:
– Practice regular brushing using a soft or medium bristled toothbrush, but don’t overdo it
– Floss regularly to help prevent plaque and tarter between your teeth and along the gum line
– Use a toothpaste made for those who suffer from tooth sensitivity. Along with brushing, you can apply the toothpaste directly to the sensitive tooth and leave it in place for several minutes so that a seal is formed over the tooth.
– Use a fluoridated mouth wash daily
– Rinse with baking soda and water
– Avoid eating highly acid foods, and if you do, brush, floss and rinse immediately afterward. The same goes for sugary foods and sodas.
– Chew sugar free chewing gum. Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva which acts as a protectant to your teeth and aids in hardening softened enamel.
– Avoid grinding. See below for information on preventive measures.
In-office Dental Treatment for Tooth Sensitivity
If the above steps fail to improve your tooth sensitivity, you may need to see your dentist to receive in-office dental treatment to resolve the issue. Treatments for tooth sensitivity include the following:
– Full dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup
– Dental strength fluoride application
– Desensitizing or bonding material to seal the tooth and roots
– Dental sealants to seal the tooth enamel
-Fillings to treat dental decay
– Bite adjustment after fillings, braces or other appliances. Sometimes these things can cause a slight maladjustment of the bite which will lead to sensitivity. A simple adjustment can resolve the issue.
– or bite adjustment after fillings
– Crowns or inlays
– Treatment of gingivitis including a course of antibiotics
– Gum grafts
– Mouth guard to prevent night grinding. Your dentist will create a mouth card that you will wear at night so that you are not able to grind your teeth.
If all of the above still fail to resolve your tooth sensitivity, the last resort for treatment is an endodontic root canal. A root canal is the process of removing infected, injured or dead roots from your tooth, while keeping the structure of the tooth intact. While the process is one that most of us are terrified of,in actual fact, it’s not that bad. Your dentist will provide adequate anesthesia and sometimes even sedation. The end result will be that you will no longer experience any type of pain or sensitivity in the tooth.
Summary
Tooth sensitivity can be caused by a variety of things including poor dental hygiene, diet, and tooth decay and damage. In many cases you can treat tooth sensitivity yourself by making a few lifestyle changes, however if your tooth sensitivity is severe, you should see your dentist to explore treatment options.
As always, an initial consultation with our Vancouver dentists is free. Come by and see us in Kitsilano or call us and we’d happy to answer and dental related questions you may have!
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