Everyone experiences tooth sensitivity once in a while due to climatic conditions, diet, or lifestyle changes. However, when people feel the pain and discomfort often or at regular intervals while eating, brushing, or drinking, there is a problem.
Here, you can learn about why tooth sensitivity occurs, and dental clinic Sunshine has some valuable tips to fix it.
Why Do You Struggle With Tooth Sensitivity?
It is the tooth pain or discomfort that either happens suddenly or gradually. While some people experience mild tooth sensitivity, others report chronic pain and discomfort. Also, you may experience sensitivity to one tooth, a few teeth, or all your teeth.
Generally, people experience tooth sensitivity while eating or drinking cold, hot, sweet, or acidic foods. While brushing, flossing, or using mouthwash, people also get pain and discomfort. Similarly, breathing cold air can trigger teeth sensitivity in some people.
Reasons For Tooth Sensitivity
You may experience tooth sensitivity due to a number of reasons:
- Enamel – the outer layer of the tooth – erosion due to the intake of acidic foods and beverages
- Dental decay
- Receding gums that expose tooth roots or gum disease
- Chips and cracks in teeth
- Brushing teeth too hard or using a hard toothbrush
- Teeth grinding or bruxism
- Worn-down crowns or fillings that expose tooth dentin
- Certain medical conditions, including bulimia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Some dental procedures like teeth whitening, crowns, and dental fillings often cause temporary teeth sensitivity.
Tips To Address Tooth Sensitivity At Home
If the tooth sensitivity is not due to dental decay or any other dental health issues, you can try using a soft toothbrush. In addition, special toothpaste for sensitive teeth are available on the market; you can use them to minimize tooth sensitivity issues.
If you brush hard, you can learn the technique of gentle brushing and flossing that causes minimal irritation to your teeth and gums. Also, ensure that you use only non-alcohol-based mouthwashes to rinse your mouth.
In the long-term, you can follow a number of oral care practices to avoid tooth sensitivity issues:
- Minimize the intake of acidic and sweet foods and drinks
- Regularly and carefully brush your teeth using a fluoride toothpaste
- Eat plenty of calcium-rich food to help with the rebuilding of your teeth
- If you are struggling with teeth grinding, use a custom mouthguard
- Make regular dental visits
Home Remedies Unsuccessful? Consult Your Dentist
If the above tips don’t give you satisfying results or struggling with chronic pain, don’t wait to consult your dentist. It can help you identify the root cause of the teeth sensitivity and comprehensively address the problem.
For instance, if your teeth have a lot of plaque deposits, it can lead to gum irritation and teeth sensitivity. Your dentist will complete professional cleaning and scaling to make your teeth plaque-free. Similarly, if your tooth has severe enamel erosion, the dentist may place a dental crown to reinforce the tooth and address the pain.
Keep in mind that timely dental assistance can give you quick recovery with minimal procedures.