Have you ever taken a sip of hot coffee or savoured an ice cream and felt a sudden jolt of pain in your teeth? You may likely have sensitive teeth. While it is common and treatable, understanding tooth sensitivity, its symptoms and causes, and preventive measures is essential. Read on to learn how to deal with sensitive teeth and achieve a pain-free smile no matter what you eat.
What is Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is also known as dentin hypersensitivity or root sensitivity. It is a sudden pain or discomfort in a tooth or more teeth when you eat anything cold, hot, sour, sweet, or breathe cold air. Sometimes, sensitive teeth may indicate more serious dental issues, including gum diseases or cracked teeth.
Tooth Sensitivity Symptoms
Sensitive teeth symptoms are often triggered upon consuming hot, sour, cold, or sweet foods or drinks. One may usually experience a sudden, sharp pain that reaches deep into the nerve endings of the teeth. In most cases, having sensitive teeth causes mild to severe discomfort or pain that may last several hours.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see your dentist to determine the cause of your tooth sensitivity and get treatment. Early diagnosis and dental treatment can help prevent the problem from worsening.
Tooth Sensitivity Causes
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the tooth structure is damaged, exposing the underlying soft tissue called dentin and tooth nerves to external stimuli. Loss of tooth enamel, gum recession, or gum diseases (periodontal diseases) are some of the common culprits. Damage to the enamel (which protects the part of teeth above the gum line) or the cementum (which covers tooth roots below the gum line) exposes the dentin to external stimuli. While consuming hot or cold foods, the fluid in the microscopic dentin tubules moves and irritates the tooth nerves and causes pain, known as dentin hypersensitivity.
It is essential to understand various factors that can potentially damage the tooth enamel and cementum, giving you sensitive teeth, and they include:
Gum diseases: Infection of the gums and bone supporting the teeth, if left untreated, can expose the tooth roots to various stimuli, resulting in pain.
Gum recession: Lack of good oral hygiene causes plaque and tartar build-up along the gum line, making the gums recede and exposing the tooth roots to external stimuli.
Cracked teeth: A crack in the tooth enamel exposes the dentin to external stimuli that reach and irritate the tooth nerve, causing pain.
Brushing too hard: Aggressive brushing can wear away the tooth enamel, especially at the meeting point of gums and teeth, exposing the dentin to various stimuli.
Acidic diet: Regularly consuming acidic foods and drinks can cause enamel erosion and dissolve the tooth surface, exposing the dentin and making the tooth sensitive.
Teeth grinding: Constant grinding or clenching of teeth, a habit called bruxism, can wear away the enamel and expose the underlying dentin, causing sensitivity.
How to Prevent Sensitive Teeth?
Addressing the potential sources of dental sensitivity is the key to preventing sensitive teeth pain. Various measures that make you less susceptible to having sensitive teeth include:
Good oral hygiene: Regular brushing and flossing help prevent tooth decay and build-up of plaque and tartar, mitigating the chances of gum recession and periodontal diseases.
Avoid tooth abrasion: Adopting proper brushing techniques and using a soft-bristled toothbrush helps prevent sensitivity due to toothbrush abrasion.
Watch your diet: Adopting a non-acidic diet helps prevent enamel erosion, making you less susceptible to tooth sensitivity.
Tooth Sensitivity Treatment
Sensitive teeth can signal complex oral health problems besides painful discomfort. If sensitivity persists, it is ideal to consult a dental professional or dental hygienist for proper diagnosis. Tooth sensitivity treatment varies based on one’s unique oral condition. Based on the underlying cause, it may involve the use of fluoride gel, dental crowns, bonding, or gum disease treatment.
Nevertheless, it is natural to wonder how to stop sensitive teeth pain immediately. An anti-sensitivity toothpaste, such as Colgate Sensitive Plus with Pro-Argin technology, can provide instant relief from the first use. It builds a protective calcium-rich layer to seal the exposed dentin channels, preventing sudden shocks of pain due to sensitivity. Besides, its fluoride content strengthens the tooth enamel and protects teeth from cavities.
