If you have experienced tooth pain when you bit down on a popsicle or took a sip of your hot cup of coffee, you may have sensitive teeth. However, what causes sensitive teeth? This article will delve a little more into this issue and provide more information as to how teeth become sensitive. On a related note, if you want to get more information on amalgam tooth fillings, you can read more here.
Tooth Sensitivity
Before we will talk about the causes of tooth sensitivity, we have to first understand what tooth sensitivity is. Tooth sensitivity happens when a person feels tooth pain when they drink beverages or eat food that is excessively hot or cold. People with sensitive teeth tend to avoid food they love because of the tooth pain they feel when they eat hot or cold food.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
There are many causes of sensitive teeth on the whole, but the most common reason why people experience tooth pain and sensitivity is because the enamel of the tooth has broken down and worn out. This will expose the more sensitive parts of the tooth to outside elements. Cold and hot food will have an adverse effect on teeth that have their outer enamel layer stripped away because the nerves in these teeth will be exposed.
However, there are more specific causes of tooth sensitivity that people can actively avoid. Here is a list of those causes.
Biting Down Too Hard
People who do not take care to see if the food they are trying to eat is too hard will end up having broken teeth in the long run. It is important to make sure that your teeth do not sustain damage because of the food you are eating. Biting down on food that is too hard may result in broken teeth that may be susceptible to tooth sensitivity.
Poor Oral Health
If a person fails to practice optimal oral health habits, there is a greater chance of them developing tooth sensitivity and other oral health issues. Proper brushing, flossing and rinsing of the mouth and teeth should be done to ensure that the teeth and gums remain strong and free from any bacterial infections that may cause the teeth to weaken and render them susceptible to tooth sensitivity.
However, it is also best not to overdo it. Brushing your teeth too hard may also be a cause of tooth sensitivity. Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush that has hard bristles (while brushing too hard) may also cause the enamel of teeth to break down and become too weak to protect the inner, more sensitive parts of the tooth.
Tooth Grinding
People who suffer from bruxism or the grinding of teeth as they sleep at night may also suffer from tooth sensitivity. Since people are mostly asleep during when they grind their teeth, they can rarely control it. The grinding may cause the teeth to become broken and worn down, also exposing the sensitive nerves being protected b the outer shell of the tooth.
Lack Of Dental Check Ups
Visiting a dentist periodically will help ensure that a person’s teeth and gums are healthy. Should there be any kind of oral health issue brewing, dentists will be able to correct it and get rid of the infection the moment it is discovered. Dental visits should be scheduled at least once a year for dental health to remain at an optimal level. However, if the dentist is trying to treat some form of dental issue, they may recommend more frequent visits.
Failing to visit a dentist at least once a year may result in the development of cavities and other forms of tooth issues that may cause tooth sensitivity. To be safe, it is a good idea to schedule visits with your dentist even if tooth pain and sensitivity is absent. Dentists will be able to help you maintain good oral health as well as make sure that your mouth is free from tooth and gum disease.
Prevention
The easiest method to prevent teeth from becoming sensitive and other forms of oral health issues from developing is to practice good oral hygiene habits. Remember that brushing and flossing are important, but they are not enough. To be able to successfully prevent any oral issues from taking hold on oral health, one has to be vigilant in not only brushing and flossing but also visiting their dentist and taking precautions to ensure that no damage will come to their teeth.
Keep in mind that the root of tooth sensitivity is the cracks that make the nerves inside the teeth vulnerable. Proper oral hygiene habits will help ensure that everything is alright in the mouth. Teeth will remain strong; gums will be free from disease and there will be fewer chances of the person ultimately developing tooth sensitivity.
What To Do About Sensitive Teeth?
The good news is that tooth sensitivity can be diagnosed. If you feel an uncomfortable sensation or even pain in your teeth when you ingest hot or cold food or drinks, it is a good idea to see a dentist about it. Your dentist will do an examination of your mouth and determine the cause of why you have tooth sensitivity.
Dentists may use a variety of different kinds of methods to single out the cause of the tooth sensitivity. They may use dental x-rays, do visual exams of your teeth and mouth and check for anything wrong with your overall oral health status. After they will be able to pinpoint the cause of your tooth sensitivity, they will also recommend treatment methods that will work best to get rid of your tooth sensitivity.
Dentists may also recommend the use of toothpastes and other products that are specifically made for sensitive teeth. You can work together with your dentist to ensure that you will be able to overcome your tooth sensitivity and still be able to enjoy the food and drinks you love. Seeing a dentist and getting diagnosed is the first step toward this goal.
