If consuming hot or cold food or beverages causes tooth pain, it may indicate that your teeth are sensitive. Then you are not by yourself. Dentin hypersensitivity, or sensitive teeth, affects an estimated 11.5% to 33.5% of the population.
Dentin hypersensitivity is most frequent in adults between the ages of 20 and 40, while it can affect anyone at any age. Additionally, women are more prone than men to experience tooth sensitivity.
Symptoms and Indications
Although not everyone experiences tooth sensitivity in the same way, there are a number of typical indications and symptoms, such as:
- Severe dental discomfort when consuming hot or cold meals or liquids
- Unexpected tooth discomfort
- Discomfort during chewing or biting
- Pain or sensitivity confined to a single tooth or a few nearby teeth
- Pain from using mouth rinses containing alcohol
- Discomfort when inhaling through your mouth, particularly in cold air
Reasons for Sensitivity to Teeth
Many factors might lead to the development of sensitive teeth. Possible reasons for sensitive teeth include:
- Brushing your teeth vigorously enough to remove the protective enamel
- Receding gums
- Cavities and/or tooth decay
- Gum disease brought on by the accumulation of tartar or plaque
- Clenching your teeth
- Dental fractures or a broken filling inside a tooth
- Dental enamel degradation brought on by acidic foods and beverages
- Bleaching teeth
- Deficiencies in vitamins or minerals that cause gum disease or tooth damage
Sensitive teeth could be an issue for you if:
- You don’t practise good oral hygiene, which includes twice daily tooth brushing and flossing.
- You don’t get routine checkups at the dentist.
- You drink a lot of acidic beverages.
- You grit your teeth.
- You take part in activities that erode the enamel, such as applying bleaching solutions or brushing too firmly.
Teeth sensitivity can be caused by many things. It’s crucial to visit your dentist to determine the precise cause of your tooth sensitivity because there are numerous reasons why teeth can become sensitive.
Expert Care
You should visit your dentist for tooth sensitivity therapy if you have severe pain and discomfort from your sensitive teeth. Determining the aetiology of dentin hypersensitivity is the first step towards a successful treatment plan. Your dentist can treat cavities, gum disease, damaged teeth, and fillings if they are the cause of your sensitive teeth in order to relieve the sensitivity.
A range of topical treatments may also be suggested by your dentist to lessen or eliminate tooth sensitivity. These consist of varnishes, gels, and rinses that include fluoride and may require multiple applications to achieve the best effects.
Your dentist may apply a sealant on the tooth or around it to prevent sensitivity if your dentin hypersensitivity continues.
Dental Care at Home
You can attempt several at-home tooth sensitivity treatments to lessen discomfort and strengthen your teeth’s defenses against sensitivity. Among them are:
- Make use of toothpaste made especially for sensitive teeth.
- To lessen abrasiveness, switch to a toothbrush with softer bristles.
- To lessen abrasiveness, brush your teeth in small, circular motions rather than side to side.
- To prevent enamel erosion, give yourself at least an hour after eating before brushing your teeth.
- Consume fewer acidic foods and beverages.
- If you grind your teeth at night, use a mouthguard to keep your teeth safe.
- In order to stop gum disease and tooth decay, make sure you’re getting adequate calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.
- Consult your dentist before beginning any at-home teeth-whitening procedures.
- See your dentist at least twice a year; don’t neglect routine dental examinations.
It can be unpleasant and painful to have sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity can be lessened or avoided, though, if you practice basic oral hygiene, which includes cleaning your teeth twice a day using toothpaste made specifically for sensitive teeth. Regular dental checkups can also help prevent or cure potential precursors like gum disease and cavities, which can lead to dentin hypersensitivity.
A Remark From Focus Dental
If you begin to feel sensitive teeth on a frequent basis, don’t hesitate to speak with your dentist because keeping proper dental hygiene is crucial to maintaining your general health. It could take some time to treat tooth sensitivity, but it doesn’t have to be hard.