Do you experience sharp pain on your teeth when you eat something cold or hot? This can be an indication of tooth sensitivity. If you think you are suffering from it, visit your dentist in Canberra today at Mawson Dental Care to get it checked and treated before it gets worse.

Undoubtedly, almost everyone has experienced tooth sensitivity at some point in their lives. In fact, it is a common oral health issue that affects up to 40% of adults in today’s generation. Although tooth sensitivity shares many symptoms with cavities, it is a distinct condition with unique causes and treatments.

In this blog, we’ll discuss what tooth sensitivity is, the causes and symptoms to look out for, as well as tips on how to reduce and manage it.

dentine sensitivity due to acidic foods

Why do I suddenly have very sensitive teeth?

When you have exposed tooth roots or damaged tooth enamel, you would most likely experience tooth sensitivity. With this condition, you may feel sharp pain or discomfort when eating or drinking something hot, cold, sweet or acidic. But aside from these, a cavity, cracked teeth, a worn filling, tooth decay, or gum disease are occasionally other issues that contribute to sensitive teeth.

What deficiency causes sensitive teeth?

It has been identified that some vitamin deficiencies can lead to sensitive teeth. Apparently, these vitamins include calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

Calcium is a known vitamin that helps build bones. If the body lacks calcium, it will start to extract calcium from the bones and teeth, making them weaker. As a result, your teeth becomes prone to tooth decay, gum inflammation, and exposed root surfaces.

Vitamin D is an essential element in bone and tooth mineralisation. Hence, uncontrolled levels of it can result in a rachitic tooth, which is a faulty and hypomineralised organ that is prone to breakage and decay.

Vitamin B12 shields the teeth and gum tissue from damage. Not only that but it also improves oral health in general. Thus, not consuming enough of this nutrient may expose you to gum disease and cause burning sensations in your mouth.

When should I be worried about sensitive teeth?

Sensitive teeth commonly happens to all ages particularly among older adults from time to time due to various factors. But if the tooth discomfort lingers and becomes frequent, talk to your dentist immediately as it could be caused by a more serious condition.

Why does my tooth nerve hurt when I brush?

When the tooth enamel erodes, your tooth root and nerve endings become exposed and vulnerable to external heat, cold, or acid. In turn, you may experience dental pain as the bristles of your toothbrush causes friction and pressure towards the layer of the tooth.

What is the difference between tooth sensitivity and nerve pain?

Despite the fact that the line between sensitivity and nerve pain may be fairly hazy, we can say that tooth sensitivity is commonly triggered when the tooth surface is exposed to stimuli like temperature, pressure, or even the sweetness of certain foods and drinks. While nerve pain occurs when the there is exposure in the deeper part of the tooth nerve.

tooth pain when brushing

Does a sensitive tooth mean infection?

Sensitive tooth pain does not always indicate an infection. Sometimes, this sensitivity comes from a cracked tooth, worn tooth enamel, or receding gums. However, if the pain is throbbing, spreads to your ear, jaw, and neck, and gets worse when you lie down, it might indicate a tooth abscess or an infection.

How long does sensitive teeth pain last?

There are multiple factors that can lead to dentine hypersensitivity, such as dental restorations, filling placements, and dental cleanings where individuals may experience sensitivity during these procedures. Significantly, this is usually a temporary condition that subsides within two to four weeks.

What is the symptom of tooth sensitivity?

Individuals who have sensitive teeth may feel pain or discomfort when certain triggers are present. This discomfort may be felt at the tooth roots of the sensitive teeth. Among the most typical triggers may include:

  • Hot foods and cold foods
  • Cold drinks
  • Sweet foods
  • Acidic foods and sour foods
  • Brushing with hard bristled toothbrush
  • Flossing
  • Breathing cold air
  • Gargling with alcohol-based mouth wash

How do I stop my teeth from being sensitive?

Good thing, there are effective ways that you can do to help manage your sensitive teeth symptoms and causes.

Use desensitizing toothpaste

With ingredients that fill the little gaps in your teeth enamel and dentin, certain types of toothpaste are designed to treat sensitive teeth. By using a desensitizing toothpaste, you can help protect your teeth’s nerves from too much exposure.

Use only soft bristled toothbrush

If you are using hard bristles when brushing your teeth, you can be making your symptoms worse. Stiff bristles and abrasive toothpastes may exacerbate gum recession, irritating your sensitive nerves. To protect your teeth and keep your gums healthy, use only toothbrush with soft bristles.

Visit your dentist for check-up

Often, dentists know better how to treat your sensitivity. By visiting your dentist for check-up, they will be able to identify the cause of your sensitivity and suggest appropriate treatments.

Practice good oral hygiene

No better way to help alleviate your tooth pain but to ensure you keep your oral health in check. Good oral hygiene is essential in preventing bacteria and plaque from building up inside your exposed roots and gum tissue.

Don’t use over the counter mouthwashes

Some over the counter mouth solutions contain acids that might be harming your teeth’s middle layer. Instead, try using salt water to cleanse your mouth. The pH level in the mouth is balanced by salt water, resulting in an alkaline environment that inhibits bacterial growth.

Use a mouth guard at night

Teeth grinding might also lead you to have sensitive teeth. If you have this condition, your dentist may recommend that you wear a mouth guard while you sleep to shield your teeth against too much pressure and prevent possible tooth injury.

Avoid extremely hot, cold, and acidic foods and drinks

Certain foods and drinks like soft drinks, citrus fruits, and the like might be causing your discomfort to worsen. If possible, eliminate these certain types of foods in your diet to help manage and improve your symptoms.

Takeaway

reduce sensitivity at Mawson Dental Care

Sensitive teeth is common among adults and can be caused by a variety of factors such as receding gums, worn enamel, exposed dentin, tooth decay or even cracked teeth. When the enamel, or protective layer of your teeth, is worn down enough to expose the nerve endings, the teeth automatically becomes sensitive to various sensations, leading to tooth pain.

At Mawson Dental Care, we offer a range of treatments to help reduce and manage your teeth sensitivity. Our dentists are experts in all areas of dentistry including treatment of sensitive teeth. We can identify the main cause of your condition and provide professional advice on how to manage and reduce your tooth sensitivity. Come visit our dental clinic today to get a comprehensive assessment of your dental health, and let us help you take control of your sensitive teeth.