Do you dread eating cold foods, like ice cream, because of how sensitive your teeth are? Sometimes even normal things, like drinking water or breathing, can feel uncomfortable. If this sounds like you, then you'll definitely want to know more about this dental problem.
Why Teeth Are Sensitive
It's possible that your tooth is relatively healthy and normal on the outside, but the nerve within the tooth is more sensitive than it should be. This can happen after the tooth experiences trauma, where the tooth is hit and is sensitive for a couple of days afterward. Thankfully, this is a problem that can resolve itself on its own as the tooth heels over time.
Another reason for sensitivity is due to the enamel being removed from the tooth which exposes the dentin, or gum recession which exposes the root of the tooth beneath the gums which is more sensitive. There are small pores that are known as dentin tubules, which will be exposed to either of these two problems. Whatever you are eating or drinking that is cold gets into the tubules, which causes you to feel that sensitivity that you do not like.
Sometimes the dentin tubules close on their own, which happens naturally after a procedure like teeth whitening. However, other times the tubules stay open because you continue to do the habit that causes them to open up. For example, you may have a problem with teeth grinding, drinking acidic beverages that erode the enamel, or even brushing your teeth too hard.
How To Stop Teeth Sensitivity
An easy way to treat teeth sensitivity is with a toothpaste designed to prevent sensitivity. These typically advertise on the package that they help fight teeth sensitivity, but you should know that it's due to a couple of active ingredients. Look for the toothpaste to contain stannous fluoride or potassium nitrate to know that it will help address sensitivity.
If your problem is teeth grinding, then your dentist can make a custom night guard for you to wear when you sleep to prevent this from happening. If you brush too hard, it may be best to use an electric toothbrush that has a pressure sensor on it. This will cause you to ease up when brushing when it senses too much pressure and beeps, which will train you to use the right amount of pressure.
Reach out to your dentist to learn more about dealing with teeth sensitivity. For more information, contact a company like Parkway Dental of Clinton.
Share28 October 2022
My name is Cicely Davenport and if you need to get dentures, but you have questions about them, I invite you to read my blog to learn the answers. I too needed to get dentures but I wanted to find out everything I could about them before I committed. I read all about full dentures and partial dentures, and the difference between each of the two kinds. I went ahead and got a full set of dentures and I really like how they look and feel. I want to help others who are also thinking about dentures and you can learn a lot about them when you read my blog.
