If you feel a stinging pain in your teeth after drinking something hot or cold, then you are suffering from dental hypersensitivity. Whenever something hot or cold comes in contact with the teeth, it expands and contracts, causing small cracks. Over time, these cracks make way to the oral nerves. When you drink something of extreme temperature, it seeps in through the cracks and hurts the nerves.
Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth
The most common symptom of sensitive teeth is toothache when you eat or drink something hot and cold. This happens because the underlying tissues of the teeth are exposed in areas, especially the gum line or the chewing surface.
Causes of Sensitive Teeth
There are many causes of sensitive teeth, one of which is thin enamel. The enamel of the teeth usually wears out due to causes like:
- Brushing aggressively
- Using a hard-bristled toothbrush
- Clenching or grinding teeth continuously
- Eating or drinking sugary and acidic substances
Other conditions like GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux), bulimia, gastroparesis, and frequent vomiting can also cause tooth sensitivity. The toothpaste you use can also lead to sensitive teeth. Some pastes contain ingredients like whitening agents that cause harm to the enamel.
A few more causes include gum recession, broken teeth, tooth decay, chipped teeth, and so on. You can use a desensitizing toothpaste that contains fluoride to get some relief. Remember, you need to cut down the consumption of acidic foods.
Treatments of Sensitive Teeth
Besides desensitizing toothpaste and limiting the consumption of acidic foods, there are several other ways to treat sensitive teeth. Some treatments are as mentioned below:
- First, use an alcohol-free mouth rinse. They are less sensitive to teeth.
- Use a gentle toothbrush with soft bristles.
- Apply ointments suggested by the dentist to treat sensitive teeth.
- If none of the remedies work, ask your dentist to prescribe medications for sensitive teeth.
Sensitive teeth might not look like a great issue, but the pain and the suffering are far worse. If you have never had this dental problem, we are glad! But if you have it and home remedies aren’t helping, please get in touch with a dentist.
People often confuse sensitive teeth with cavities or abscesses. However, you can confirm the exact problem only after seeing a dentist. Do not depend on guesswork and never consume medicines without a doctor’s suggestion.
Dr. Jeanne V. Devi, DDS, offers expert treatment for sensitive teeth-related issues. Call us at (626) 795-2544 or visit our website for more details. We are located at 595 E Colorado Blvd Suite 603, Pasadena, CA 91101.
