Everything You Need to Know About Teeth Sensitivity

Are you having trouble enjoying a bite of your favorite ice cream? Is chugging a spoonful of hot soup uncomfortable for you? Such discomfort caused by hot or cold foods could be a sign that you have sensitive teeth. 

Tooth sensitivity can either be a temporary or chronic problem and can affect one or several of your teeth. Most people have no clue what causes sensitive teeth or how to treat them for some much-needed relief.

That is what we hope to accomplish here. Our dentist in Wakad will cover everything you need to know about teeth sensitivity through this article. 

So without much further ado, let’s get started.

Tooth Sensitivity, aka dentin hypersensitivity, refers to a sensation of pain or discomfort that is felt in the teeth as a direct response to certain stimuli like hot or cold temperatures. This pain felt due to tooth sensitivity could be experienced at the root of the affected teeth.

Typical triggers for sensitive teeth include

The symptoms associated with sensitive teeth can be sporadic. Also, these symptoms can range from mild to unfathomably intense.

Believe it or not, some people possess teeth that are naturally sensitive because of their thinner enamel. In most other cases, a tooth’s enamel gets worn out over time because of inadequate or inappropriate oral hygiene practices. 

A tooth’s enamel can be worn down due to the following reasons

Several other health conditions can also make teeth sensitive. For instance, GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disorder can cause acid in your stomach to come up via your esophagus and harm teeth over time. Other health conditions like bulimia and gastroparesis, which trigger frequent vomiting can wear down one’s enamel. 

Gum recession can also cause teeth sensitivity by leaving certain important sections of your tooth exposed and unprotected. Furthermore, a broken tooth, tooth decay, chipped tooth, and worn-down crowns can also expose the dentin of a tooth, thus making it more sensitive. 

You may also experience sensitivity in teeth temporarily after having crowns implanted or getting your teeth filled. In such a scenario, however, you can expect the symptoms to subside in a few days.

It is recommended to visit a dentist before you try any remedies yourself to alleviate the discomfort when experiencing sensitive teeth. A dentist may administer routine teeth cleaning, tap your teeth with a dental instrument or order an X-Ray to diagnose the issue. 

If you are suffering from mild teeth sensitivity, then over-the-counter medications would be enough to get relief. It would also be a good idea to change your toothpaste to ones that are specifically made for sensitive teeth. Such kinds of toothpaste don’t possess any ingredients that might cause you further irritation.  

We also recommend using mouthwash that is alcohol-free. They will be less irritating to sensitive teeth. Conditions like GERD can be treated with acid reducers. How effective you are at treating sensitive teeth will largely depend on your oral hygiene routine. You can avoid a lot of damage by simply choosing to be gentler when brushing your teeth. In cases of severe gum recession, a dentist may advise you to use a gum graft.  

To prevent grinding your teeth, you can use a mouthguard at night. It is also recommended to not drink caffeine right before you sleep. This will reduce your stress levels and you can expect a good night’s sleep without grinding. 

Sensitive teeth can make your life living hell. It can make everything from eating to talking, a painful exercise. As such, we recommend wasting no time reaching out to Sweet Smile Dental Clinic in Wakad for help. Our dentist will help you find relief from sensitive teeth, thus helping you lead a normal and comfortable life. 

We recommend making an appointment with our dentist right away to determine the cause of your sensitive teeth. Quick response to a sensitive tooth can prevent further complications. So visit us if you are experiencing any of the below symptoms.