If you feel some pain in your teeth when you are eating hot or cold food, then you might have sensitive teeth. This condition, although aggravating, can be improved with the proper treatment. But before we get into that, it helps to first understand what causes this to happen.
Healthy teeth are protected by a hard shell called enamel. When this starts to wear off, the nerve endings are exposed, making the tooth sensitive. Every time you eat trigger foods or even just breathe in cold air, you feel a twinge or a sharp pain.
To prevent this from happening, here are some things that you can do:
Don’t brush with a heavy hand. Your enamel might be wearing out because you are brushing too hard. Brush up and down softly at a 45-degree angle and use a soft-bristled brush to protect your gums and keep your enamel strong. Also, make sure to floss daily to clean in between teeth.
Don’t bleach your teeth. Teeth whitening can cause temporary teeth sensitivity. If you are already experiencing signs of sensitivity, lay off on bleaching for awhile until you fix the issue.
Avoid eating acidic food. High-sugar food like soda and candy can eat away the enamel and breed bacteria in your mouth. Eat a healthy diet that’s rich in fiber like fruits and vegetables.
This issue can also be brought on by other dental problems. To help you solve the problem, the first step is to determine its cause. Here are some of the most common dental issues that cause tooth sensitivity:
Gum disease – When gums have receded because of tartar buildup, it exposes the nerve endings, making your tooth more sensitive. Take care of your gums by scheduling a planning or scaling to give a thorough cleanup below the gum line.
Cracked or bad tooth – Broken tooth can experience pain when there is a cavity that goes down to its root. A rotten tooth, which usually has cracks and lost enamel will also be more sensitive and painful.
Worn fillings – If you have fillings from years ago, it might be good to have them checked too. Worn fillings that may have cracked can go unnoticed but may suddenly have sensitivity problems.
Treating Tooth Sensitivity
When you and your dentist have determined the root cause of your tooth sensitivity, treatment can now start. The treatment approach will depend on the cause of the problem. The most common ways sensitivity is cured can be through:
- Flouride gels
- Special toothpaste for sensitive teeth
- Fillings that fix cracked tooth
- Sealants
- Desensitizing toothpastes
How to Deal with Tooth Sensitivity
While teeth sensitivity may seem like a minor dental problem, ignoring it can make the issue even worse. This may be your body’s way to warn you of a deeper issue, which you should look into. Visit a dentist and do a thorough checkup to keep your teeth and gums pain-free.
