What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Sensitive teeth can be caused by the following dental issues:
Worn tooth enamel from using a hard toothbrush and using a hard grip while brushing aggressively.
Tooth erosion due to highly acidic foods and beverages.
Tooth decay, worn leaky fillings and broken teeth that expose the dentin of your tooth.
Gum recession that leaves your root surface exposed.
Grinding your teeth at night.
Post dental treatment sensitivity – common, but temporary, especially with procedures such as crowns, fillings and tooth bleaching
Desensitizing Products
Even in situations where there is no obvious cause for your pain, there are numerous treatments to help you manage the sensitivity. Your dentist can apply an in-office fluoride gel to strengthen the tooth enamel and reduce painful sensations, while over-the-counter desensitizing toothpastes can block off the nerve endings in the exposed dentin. Toothpastes such as Colgate® Sensitive should be used on a regular basis, for best results that you can notice in as little as two weeks. Your dentist may also suggest that you rub some of the toothpaste directly on the affected areas after toothbrushing.
What causes sensitive teeth is a mystery you can solve with some input from your dentist. So if you've been suffering with painful sensitivity that keeps you from eating the foods you love, make an appointment with your dentist today – and you may be eating ice cream tomorrow.
