It’s no secret that tooth sensitivity can be triggered by something as small as a temperature fluctuation in your food, but why do your teeth do that exactly? When your teeth are in normal condition, your enamel typically protects it from any sort of pain. This enamel is categorized as a layer of dentin that’s close to the nerve to protect it from pain. When you don’t take care of your teeth over time, or are dealing with hereditary teeth problems, you may feel that you have more pain. This is because the enamel is wearing away and exposing the root to more temperature fluctuation or pain in general.
In short, the tubes that work together with the nerve can become exposed, allowing the nerves to be affected by said temperature change.
What Can Cause This Problem?
There are a number of causes behind this problem, including:
- Recession of the gums because of improper care
- Beverages that are high in acidity, i.e. soda, which cause exposure and erosion
- Grinding your teeth can make most of your teeth feel sensitive at once
- Toothpaste that’s abrasive and over-acidic
- Standard gum disease, periodontal disease
- A fractured or broken tooth can cause you extreme pain – even the most minute cracks
Depending on what type of dental treatments you have recently had, you may or may not feel more sensitivity for a short period of time. If it’s been a while since your last dental appointment, and you have a thorough cleaning done, as well as root planning and scaling, you may feel extreme sensitivity for up to a few months. Know your body and know when to see a specialist – don’t chicken out or else you may feel more pain.
What Else Can Be Done About Tooth Sensitivity?
If you’re having a tooth sensitivity issue, you’ll want to speak with your local dental professional. There are a wide number of solutions that can be applied to your problem and give you significant pain relief without having to go to the final route of tooth removal. Some of these solutions can include:
- Investing in a toothbrush that has a much softer bristle
- Learning how to brush your teeth correctly, rather than in an abrasive manner
- Find a toothpaste that isn’t as abrasive, and speak with your local dentist about toothpaste for sensitive mouths
Of course, you may have a dental professional provide the following:
- A fluoride application that will help strengthen the area that’s sensitive
- Prescribe a type of toothpaste that contains a high dosage of fluoride to help strengthen the teeth on a daily basis
- Repair lost enamel through restoration to help relieve pain
At the end of the day, the only solution isn’t going to be to pull the tooth or receive a root canal. You should always explore your options when available and not settle for the worst, and most scary solution. There are professionals that want to save your teeth, and to begin, you should get the courage to call your local dental professional, such as Smiles Dentistry at (416) 588-8004 to assess your personal situation more closely.