Does that bite of ice cream make you wince? Do hot coffee or tea have you jumping in pain? Perhaps brushing and flossing are occasionally painful. If you’re sensitive to cold, hot or sweets, you may even find yourself avoiding certain foods and drinks. All of these experiences could mean you have sensitive teeth.
Possible causes include:
- Tooth decay (cavities)
- Fractured teeth
- Worn fillings
- Gum disease
- Worn tooth enamel
- Exposed tooth root
Why Teeth Become Sensitive
In healthy teeth, a layer of enamel protects the crowns of your teeth, which is the part just above the gum line. Under the gum line, a layer called cementum protects the tooth root. Under both the enamel and the cementum is dentin.
Dentin is not as dense as enamel or cementum and contains microscopic hollow tubes, or canals. When dentin loses its protective coating of enamel or cementum, these small tubes let heat, cold, acidic or sticky foods reach the nerves and cells inside your tooth. Dentin can also be exposed when gums recede, resulting in hypersensitivity. Sensitivity can come and go, and it is most often caused by exposed root areas or receding gums.
Enamel can wear away for several reasons, including overzealous brushing, an acidic diet, abrasive toothpaste, acid reflux disease, excessive teeth whitening, teeth grinding, dry mouth and bulimia.
Sensitive Teeth Can Be Treated
The good news is that sensitive teeth can be treated. Talk to your dentist about your sensitivity first, to rule out tooth decay and cavities. The treatment depends on what is causing the sensitivity, and your dentist may suggest one of the following:
- Desensitizing toothpaste. It contains compounds that help block sensation from traveling from the tooth surface to the nerve, and usually takes several applications before the sensitivity is reduced.
- Fluoride gel. An in-office treatment that strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations.
- A crown, inlay, filling or bonding. These may be used to correct a flaw or decay that is causing the sensitivity.
- Surgical gum graft. If gum tissue has been lost from the root, a graft protects the root and reduces sensitivity.
- Root canal. If sensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, your dentist may recommend a root canal to eliminate the problem.
Preventing Sensitive-Tooth Pain
Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing sensitive-tooth pain, so keep up with a good daily routine. You may also want to make some dietary changes, such as cutting back on high-sugar foods, soda, fruit juices and alcohol.
Tooth sensitivity can be more than an annoyance: it can be painful and part of a larger problem. If you have any questions about the sensitivity of your teeth, call Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville today at (610) 489-5555 to make your next appointment.
