Table of Contents
What is tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is a burning, tingling, or painful sensation caused by dentin exposure through thinning tooth enamel.
The sensation is usually triggered by hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks.
In some cases, tooth sensitivity can be caused by gum recession that exposes the root surface.
What causes sensitive teeth?
The leading cause of tooth sensitivity is thinning tooth enamel. It can be caused by many things, including brushing too hard, using gritty toothpaste, acid erosion from foods and drinks, and aging. Gum recession can also expose the root surface, which can cause tooth sensitivity.
There are several causes of tooth sensitivity, including thinning tooth enamel, gum recession, and exposed tooth roots.
Thinning tooth enamel: Tooth enamel is the hard outer layer of your teeth. It protects your teeth from damage and decay. However, tooth enamel can thin over time due to wear and tear, acidic foods and drinks, and brushing too hard. When tooth enamel wears down, the underlying dentin is exposed. Dentin is a softer tissue that contains small tubes that lead to the nerves in your teeth. When these tubes are exposed, you may experience sensitivity.
Gum recession: Gum recession is when the gums pull away from the teeth, exposing more of the tooth root. It can be caused by gum disease, brushing too hard, or using a hard-bristled toothbrush. Gum recession can also occur naturally as you age.
Exposed tooth roots: Tooth roots can become exposed when gum recession occurs. It can make your teeth more sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks.
How to treat sensitive teeth
If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, there are several things you can do to help relieve the pain.
- Brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth. There are many brands available over-the-counter.
- Avoid acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits and soda.
- See your dentist in Mississauga for a check-up. They can determine if the sensitivity is caused by thinning tooth enamel, gum recession, or exposed tooth roots and recommend treatment options.
- If your dentist finds that the sensitivity is due to gum recession, they may recommend a gum graft to cover the exposed tooth root.
- For severe cases of tooth sensitivity, your dentist may recommend using a desensitizing toothpaste or getting a dental sealant.
How is tooth sensitivity treated?
Treating tooth sensitivity includes desensitizing toothpaste, getting a dental sealant, or undergoing a gum graft.
If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, talk to your dentist about the best treatment option.
You may experience tooth sensitivity when you brush your teeth too hard, use gritty toothpaste, eat acidic foods and drink soda. Several common causes of sensitivities include thinning tooth enamel, gum recession, and exposed roots. If the dentist finds that the sensitivity is due to gum recession, they may recommend a gum graft or dental sealant. For more severe cases, you may use desensitizing toothpaste.
If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, talk to your dentist about the best treatment option.
According to the dentist and cosmetic dentist Michael Ng, sensitive teeth can be treated with dental care. For sharp teeth caused by thinning tooth enamel, Dr. Ng may recommend using a desensitizing toothpaste or getting a dental sealant to help relieve the pain. A dentist may recommend a gum graft if it is caused by gum recession in conjunction with exposed tooth roots. However, for more severe cases of tooth sensitivity, Dr. Ng says that “the best option would be to consult with your dentist and have him or she determine the root cause of the problem.”
It is always best to consult with your dentist to get the most accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for your specific case. However, there are several things you can do to help relieve the pain of sensitive teeth, including brushing your teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush, using toothpaste for sharp teeth, avoiding acidic foods and drinks, and seeing your dentist for a check-up.
Tooth sensitivity is often caused by thinning tooth enamel, gum recession, or exposed tooth roots. The best way to treat tooth sensitivity is to consult your dentist and follow their recommended treatment plan. However, there are several things you can do to help relieve the pain in the meantime, such as brushing your teeth gently, using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth, avoiding acidic foods and drinks, and seeing your dentist for a check-up.
What treatments can the dentist offer?
The dentist can offer a variety of treatments for tooth sensitivity, depending on the cause. If the sensitivity is caused by thinning tooth enamel, the dentist may recommend using a desensitizing toothpaste or getting a dental sealant. The dentist may recommend a gum graft if it is caused by gum recession in conjunction with exposed tooth roots. However, for more severe cases of tooth sensitivity, the best option would be to consult with your dentist and have him or she determine the root cause of the problem.
The dentist can offer several treatments to help relieve tooth sensitivity, including desensitizing toothpaste, getting a dental sealant, and undergoing a gum graft. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, talk to your dentist about the best treatment option.