Tooth Sensitivity: Cause, Prevention and Treatment

Sensitive Teeth?

Tooth Sensitivity: Cause, Prevention and Treatment: At Meraki Dental Studio we see many patients who ask us about sensitive teeth. Don’t let this common ailment stop you from eating and enjoying the foods you love. Tooth sensitivity is the pain that you may feel on one or many teeth. We mostly refer to the pain that is stimulated by eating hot or cold foods, drinking hot or cold drinks, consuming sweets, or even by breathing cold air from the mouth. When speaking of tooth sensitivity, we do not refer to the intense pain that might feel in the mouth due to caries, fractures or infections.

What causes Sensitive Teeth?

Either your gums or teeth are to be blamed if eating cold, hot or sweet foods causes you discomfort. The causes of sensitivity are:

• Vigorous brushing: Brushing with a hard bristle toothbrush, or brushing with too much pressure wears away the enamel over time; the tooth layer under the enamel, called dentin, has nerves which are stimulated by hot and cold, as well as sweets.
• Gum recession: Where the gum level recedes and exposes the root of a tooth; the root doesn't have a protective enamel layer and may be sensitive to temperature changes; gum recession is mostly caused by hard brushing or by gum disease.
• Periodontitis: Which is an advanced stage of gum disease that starts by the inflammation of the gum, and then leads to the destruction of the supporting tissue of a tooth, including its bone; the gums therefore become less attached to the tooth, exposing its root.
• Fracture: A cracked tooth can expose the internal layers (dentin) or the root, which causes sensitivity.
• Acidic diet: Foods with high acid content, if consumed excessively, they may wear out the enamel over time; those acid foods include soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, citric fruits or ice tea.
• Bruxism: Tooth grinding causes stress on tooth enamel and wears it out over time, which exposes the underlying dentin or root, or may even fracture the tooth, which either way causes sensitivity.

How to Prevent Tooth Sensitivity?

Now that you know the biological root of tooth sensitivity, you may want to know what you are doing that worsens sensitive teeth. Here are tips to help you prevent tooth sensitivity.

1. BRUSH AND FLOSS REGULARLY Plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease all cause sensitive teeth. Though there is some amount of genetics involved, proper brushing and flossing will help to minimize your risks.

1. DON’T BRUSH TOO VIGOROUSLY Brushing your teeth with too much force exposes the tubes mentioned above and cracks your teeth. Be sure to use gentle strokes with your toothbrush and consider softer bristles.

1. PREVENT GRINDING YOUR TEETH Grinding your teeth also wears down the protective layers of your teeth. People who grind their teeth often have tooth sensitivity and cracked teeth that require which can require dental procedure. If you think you grind, talk to your dentist in South Delhi about wearing a protective occlusal splint while you sleep.

1. REDUCE ACIDIC FOOD Acidic foods like lemon, tomato sauce, and pickles are tooth sensitivity culprits. These foods wear down the enamel of your teeth and should be eaten sparingly.

1. DON’T USE WHITENING TOOTHPASTE Whitening toothpaste can be abrasive and wear down tooth enamel. Use sparingly, if your teeth are sensitive, and talk to your dentist in South Delhi about other tooth whitening options.

Treatment

When teeth are sensitive in a mild manner, and there is no advanced wearing of enamel, it is possible to control it with tooth sensitivity toothpaste, or a remineralising paste. We can best advice seeing your existing condition. Other treatments may include:

• using non-acidic mouthwash, preferably containing fluoride
• Fillings to cover places on teeth where enamel is worn away or mildly receded gums on roots.

More severe symptoms or persistent sensitivity may need other treatments such as root canals or crowns.

CONSULT YOUR DENTIST IN SOUTH DELHI

Don’t let your sensitive teeth and painful eating ruin the foods you enjoy. If your teeth are sensitive, talk to one of our experts at the best dental clinic in South Delhi, Meraki Dental Studio. We have several options for treating tooth sensitivity and will create the plan that best suits your needs. We look forward to making you smile!

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