How to Alleviate Tooth Sensitivity: Causes and Treatment Options

Do you experience pain in one or more teeth whenever you chew – or consume a hot, cold, sweet or sour food or beverage? Then you are one of more than 40 million Americans who suffer from sensitive teeth!

What causes tooth sensitivity? That question is easily answered by a quick lesson in tooth anatomy. The outermost layer of a tooth is enamel: the most durable substance your body can naturally produce, which protects the tooth’s crown against abrasion and other types of damage. Beneath the enamel lies the dentin, which transmits impulses from the enamel to the nerves within the dental pulp. When microscopic tubules form inside it, the enamel no longer sufficiently shields the underlying dentin against pressure, heat, cold, and other adverse stimuli. The nerves inside the dental pulp register pain as a result!

In fewer words, tooth sensitivity happens when small holes form in the tooth’s outermost protective layer. But what causes that to happen, exactly?

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

A tooth rarely becomes sensitive for one single reason. Several factors typically contribute to sensitive teeth, including:

• Overexuberant brushing – You’re certainly advised to brush your teeth regularly – but not too vigorously, as that can damage enamel. Note that toothbrushes with hard bristles also contribute to enamel erosion.
• Gum recession – Brushing too hard can also cause or exacerbate existing gum recession, where the gums peel away from the teeth to reveal the sensitive roots. Periodontal disease, which affects almost half of Americans over the age of 30, is also commonly accompanied by gum recession.
• Damaged teeth – Cracked or chipped enamel exposes the dentin to physical and chemical stimuli. It can also permit bacteria to access the dental pulp, where they cause inflammation and heightened sensitivity. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, often sufficiently damages enamel until sensitivity becomes an issue.
• Plaque – Many of the bacteria that live inside tooth plaque produce acid. Sufficient concentrations of acid are corrosive enough to bore small holes through the enamel. This is just one reason why regular flossing and brushing is so important!
• Teeth whitening products – The bleach contained by certain whitening products can penetrate tooth enamel, which in turn irritates the underlying nerves. Temporary sensitivity is actually quite common following professional teeth whitening procedures.
• Acidic substances – Many mouthwashes contain acids that can widen existing holes or fissures in the enamel. Beverages such as fruit juices, tea, coffee and cola are acidic enough to exacerbate tooth sensitivity, as are certain foods such as citrus fruits and pickled vegetables
• Recent dental procedure – Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of receiving a filling, root canal, dental restoration, or even a routine cleaning. The sensitivity caused by professional dental procedures is typically temporary, and subsides within six weeks at the longest.

Treatments for Tooth Sensitivity

There are several effective methods for treating tooth sensitivity. The best ones for your unique oral health depend on the causes of your tooth sensitivity. Your dentist will likely advise one or more of the following treatments after asking you a few questions and inspecting your teeth.

• Brush and floss regularly – Good oral hygiene will reduce the number of acidiferous bacteria living in your mouth, which promotes better health in a number of different ways. Take care to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which will help prevent enamel abrasion and gum irritation. Rinsing your mouth with fluoridated mouthwash can also help to reduce sensitivity.
• Desensitizing toothpaste – Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne can help decrease tooth sensitivity. Sensodyne and other toothpastes like it contain high concentrations of enamel-strengthening fluoride. They also lack sodium lauryl sulfate, a foaming agent which may cause irritation.
• Avoid acidic foods – Consuming acidic substances can cause or worsen tooth sensitivity. Avoiding them altogether can reduce it!
• Prevent teeth grinding – If you tend to grind your teeth while you’re feeling stressed or anxious, try to become more cognizant of that habit and avoid it. If you’re grinding your teeth at night, consider asking your dentist whether a bruxism mouth guard could help to preserve your tooth enamel.

Visit Your Dentist

The routine cleanings, examinations, fluoride treatments and other dental care you receive from your dentist will reduce your risk of experiencing tooth sensitivity. If you desire additional treatment for sensitive teeth, your dentist may advise one of the following:

• Dental bonding – Although frequently administered for cosmetic purposes, dental bonding’s ability to repair chips and cracks in enamel can also help to shield the sensitive dentin.
• Dentin sealer – By applying a bonding agent directly to a tooth’s dentin, your dentist can provide greater protection against sources of irritation.
• Fluoride varnish – Essentially a concentrated form of fluoride, dental varnish is temporarily applied to the teeth so it can fortify their protective enamel.

If you live in the greater Logan, Utah area and would like relief from sensitive teeth, then we welcome you to contact All About Teeth today!