Tooth sensitivity is a common problem that is estimated to impact at least 40 million adults in the nation. Although it may not sound like more than a simple inconvenience, it can impact your day-to-day life by making eating or drinking anything that’s hot or cold uncomfortable. Tooth sensitivity can also be caused by several different issues that range in severity as well. Read on to learn more about when you should visit a dentist for this problem and how you can treat it.
What Are Symptoms of Dental Sensitivity?
Have you ever felt an uncomfortable jolt of pain burst through your mouth when you took a bite of hot soup or a popsicle? This is a common daily experience for someone who has dental sensitivity that could be caused by a long list of oral health problems. It could be a temporary or chronic issue, depending on the root cause, and results in a variety of different effects, including:
- Consuming hot foods and beverages
- Consuming cold foods and beverages
- Breathing in cold air
- Sweet foods and beverages
- Acidic foods and beverages (like coffee)
- Cold water, especially during dental cleanings
- Brushing and flossing teeth
- Alcohol-based mouthwashes
What Causes Dental Sensitivity?
The underlying causes of your dental sensitivity may be due to genetic issues or lingering oral health problems, which is why it’s important to visit your dentist to get to the bottom of the situation and prevent further damage to your smile. Some of the issues that can result in tooth sensitivity are:
- Brushing too hard and wearing down your protective enamel.
- Using a hard-bristled toothbrush.
- Having naturally thinner enamel that reveals the sensitive dentin beneath.
- Consuming enamel-eroding acidic foods and drinks on a regular basis.
- Grinding teeth at night.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Eating disorders
If you just received dental work, this can also result in sensitivity, but it’s completely normal and should eventually disappear or be confined to the one or two teeth that were treated. In any case, it’s important to visit with your dentist to determine how to strengthen your enamel and shield your sensitive dentin from coming into contact with anything that you eat or drink.
How Can You Treat This Issue?
In order to treat dental sensitivity effectively, it’s important to visit your dentist so they can diagnose the underlying issue. Once you know what’s causing your dental discomfort, they may suggest one of the following treatment options:
- Filling a cavity
- Using alcohol-free mouthrinses
- Getting a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Using a less-abrasive toothpaste that’s made to strengthen enamel and prevent sensitivity
- Fluoride treatment
- Prescription dental hygiene products that contain desensitizing agents
No matter whether your sensitivity is chronic or temporary, having it treated will help make you more comfortable and give you peace-of-mind that you don’t have any lingering oral health problems causing the problem. After treating the issue for a couple of weeks, you should be able to notice a big difference!
About the Practice
At Smile Fitness Dental Centers, we offer comprehensive dentistry from three highly skilled dentists under one convenient roof. Each of our professionals has unique backgrounds and training, making them the ideal team to tackle complex emergency situations, such as toothaches, severe dental sensitivity, and a variety of other issues. With their knowledge and diverse treatment approaches combined, they aim to provide everyone that walks through their doors with fast, pain-relieving, and honest dentistry. For questions about dental sensitivity or to schedule an urgent appointment to restore your comfort, visit our website or call 623-849-0477.