What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Posted: Feb 17, 2021 in
Dealing with sensitive teeth is not fun especially when you try to enjoy some of your favourite foods. Signs that you are dealing with sensitive teeth include pain when hot or cold food and drinks cause pain or if it hurts when you brush or floss your teeth.
Common causes for dental sensitivity are
- Cavities
- Tooth decay
- Fractures
- Worn enamel
- Worn-down fillings
- Gum recession and exposed roots
- Post-treatment sensitivity
If you are dealing with any of the above issues, then it is a good time to contact Dr. Hartley at Woodcreek Dental Care in SW Calgary.
Why are my teeth sensitive?
Once the nerve endings in your teeth become exposed to outer influences you will notice your teeth becoming sensitive when you try enjoying hot or cold foods and drinks. Your enamel is the layer that covers the crown of your teeth and cementum covers the roots of your teeth which are below the gum line. Beneath both your enamel and cementum lie a sponge-like tissue layer called dentin. Dentin becomes exposed when you lose enamel and cementum. This leads to exposed nerve endings which causes your teeth to be sensitive to hot and cold foods.
The most common cause for tooth decay is a lack of proper care for your teeth and not visiting your local SW Calgary dentist on a regular basis. How you brush your teeth wears down your enamel in terms of effort applied and toothbrush type. Eating and drinking highly acidic foods and grinding your teeth can all lead to your enamel eroding.
What do I do if I have sensitive teeth?
There can be many different causes for why you are dealing with sensitive teeth and the best way to find out is by booking an appointment with our SW Calgary dentists. If you are dealing with pain while trying certain types of foods or liquids, then you should book an appointment with Woodcreek Dental Care immediately. It is important to let your dentist know how severe the pain is and how long you have been dealing with the pain. This information helps Dr. Hartley diagnose and fix your sensitivity problem.
Depending on the sensitivity problem you face there are different ways to treat them. These include
- Fixing/replacing a filling
- Fixing/replacing the crown
- Bonding
- Strengthening the enamel with fluoride gel
- Gum grafts to replace lost tissue
- Filling in the root canal
There are desensitizing kinds of toothpaste available which dull the nerve endings and reduce pain. Filling in the root canal is the most radical and should only be used when all other methods have failed. These are all in-office ways of treatment and you should never fully self-treat yourself.
Sensitive Teeth Prevention
There are many tried-and-trusted methods to treat tooth sensitivity, but prevention is still the best method. There are a few things you can do to prevent sensitivity
- Regular dental appointments
- Cut down on acidic foods
- Avoid hand-bristled toothbrushes and do not push too hard when brushing your teeth
- Use a mouth guard at night if you grind your teeth while sleeping
If you are dealing with sensitive teeth, then schedule an appointment with Woodcreek Dental Care today. Dr. Hartley and our staff are ready to help treat your tooth sensitivity problems.