All You Need To Know About Sensitive Teeth
All You Need To Know About Sensitive Teeth
Almost everyone experiences at least once in their life an unpleasant sensation when drinking something cold or hot. This sensation is usually described as a sudden sharp shock inside the tooth, which can also be painful.
This is a common condition called teeth sensitivity or dentin hypersensitivity. However, although it is frequent and often mild, it could indicate that there might be an issue with your tooth.
Fortunately, most times, the cause of sensitive teeth can be treated easily.
Moreover, making minor adjustments, such as using a different toothpaste and upgrading to a new FOSOO electric toothbrush, could be all you need to prevent sensitivity.
However, make sure to visit your dentist regularly. Remember that he can do a thorough examination to assess what’s causing your discomfort and explain how to stop sensitive teeth pain immediately according to your case.
Why Are Teeth Sensitive?
Many things such as cold drinks, hot food, and even sweets can trigger a painful reaction. However, the real cause lies inside your teeth.
The dental pulp is a soft tissue located inside every tooth. It possesses micro blood vessels to deliver nutrients and nourish the tooth and nerves in charge of your teeth sensitive response.
The pulp is responsible for every sensation that you feel in your teeth, including pain. Although it lies hidden and protected deep inside the tooth, it is sensitive and prone to multiple stimuli. Moreover, sometimes small changes in the enamel can be enough to trigger a reaction that could range from mild discomfort to pain.
When an alteration to the tooth surface occurs, microscopic tubes that reach the pulp get exposed, leaving it less protected. Therefore, strong external stimuli, such as a cold drink, can irritate the pulp and trigger sensitivity.
What Can Cause Sensitive Teeth?
Teeth sensitivity is usually caused by stimuli that wear down the enamel. However, this is not always the case, as sometimes the enamel can be naturally thinner than it should be. Therefore, resulting in mild teeth sensitivity.
The most common causes of sensitive teeth include:
- Brushing too hard: an appropriate brushing technique will keep your teeth healthy and clean. However, brushing too hard or using a hard-bristle toothbrush can damage the enamel. It can cause dental erosion, where the enamel is mechanically worn down and the dentin exposed.
- Acidic food consumption: Your teeth are vulnerable to constant acid attacks. Therefore, frequent consumption of highly acidic food and drinks, such as grapes, plums, sodas, and lemonade, can wear down the enamel.
- Bruxism: Grinding your teeth at night can wear down your enamel at a fast pace. Exposing dentin and causing teeth sensitivity and pain.
- Gums recession: Receding gums occurs when the gum line around a tooth gets lower than usual, exposing its roots and often causing sensitivity. This usually happens if you suffer periodontitis or brush too hard against the gums.
Roots lack the protection of enamel as they are not meant to be exposed to the oral cavity. Instead, they possess a thin layer of tissue called cementum, which cannot protect the pulp from external stimuli.
- Cavities: As cavities progress, they open a hole in the tooth. This can leave dentin exposed and the pulp vulnerable to any stimuli. Moreover, when left untreated for too long, the cavity by itself is enough to trigger a painful reaction without any cold or hot substance participating.
Regardless of the cause, if strong stimuli manage to get closer than they should to the pulp, teeth sensitivity can develop.
How To Treat Sensitive Teeth?
The treatment of sensitive teeth depends on the cause. A quick visit to your dentist can help you determine the reason behind your sensitive teeth and what should be done.
If it is caused by a cavity, then a filling should be enough to solve the issue. Moreover, a filling can also be used in cases of dental abrasion.
However, most times, the dentist will recommend using specialized toothpaste labeled for sensitive teeth. These toothpastes contain desensitizing ingredients that help prevent the stimuli from reaching the pulp and triggering a response.
Using an alcohol-free mouthwash can also contribute to easing the sensitivity as it is less irritating than other alternatives.
Lastly, as abrasion is often of the main reasons for sensitive teeth, it is highly recommended to use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
How To Diagnose Sensitive Teeth?
This condition can be self-diagnosed as the symptoms are easily recognizable.
The symptoms include pain or discomfort in determined scenarios, such as:
- Contact with cold drinks and foods
- Contact with hot drinks and foods
- Contact with acidic drinks and foods
- Brushing your teeth
- Teeth exposure to cold air
However, it is vital to visit a dentist for a thorough examination to assess the cause behind the sensitivity and apply the correct treatment.
The dentist relies on clinical examination and x-rays to determine if it is caused by a cavity, abrasion, or something else.
Sensitive Teeth Prevention Method
If you’re looking to prevent teeth sensitivity, then a desensitizing toothpaste used with a FOSOO electric toothbrush can be your best at-home treatment.
Our toothbrushes combine the efficiency of a sonic clean toothbrush and soft bristles that will act gently on your enamel to stop eroding while allowing you to remove all the plaque.
Moreover, making small dietary adjustments, such as consuming less acidic food and drinks, can prevent your enamel from wearing out, preventing sensitivity or stopping its progress.
Teeth sensitivity is a condition that causes discomfort and pain. It is usually related to issues on your teeth, such as abrasion or cavities. However, it can also be due to just a thin enamel layer that allows stimuli to reach the pulp.
It can cause great despair. However, now you know how to stop sensitive teeth pain immediately. As long as you use the right toothpaste and toothbrush and visit your dentist, sensitive teeth will not be a problem.