One of the most common dental conditions is having sensitive teeth. It means that the teeth feel pain or discomfort whenever they come in contact with hot or cold food, and sometimes with just about anything. Sensitive teeth are caused by several factors, and we are about to discuss some of the most common ones.
Why Do Teeth Become Sensitive?
Our body is filled with nerve endings which causes us to feel a variety of sensations. Our teeth are hollow, and the hollow portion of our teeth, called the pulp, is filled with nerves. The tooth is covered by enamel; a very hard substance which protects these nerve endings and keeps the teeth from getting extreme sensations.
The sensitivity of the tooth is caused by the absence of enamel or breach in its layers. The second layer of protection, the dentin, is also a hard substance but lets some sensations like cold and sweet to penetrate and reach the nerves which cause heightened sensitivity.
Most Common Causes of Sensitive Teeth
Below are some of the most common causes of teeth sensitivity. The description of each includes the means by which the sensation penetrates the enamel and reaches the nerves in the pulp.
-
Cavities
Cavities are caused by bacteria build-up in teeth. The bacteria penetrate the teeth, passing through the enamel and destroying it. This causes the nerves to be exposed and the teeth to experience extreme sensations. Early exposure to cavities cannot do much damage to the teeth, but the more time passes, the more susceptible your teeth are to becoming sensitive. Make sure to prevent this from happening by regular brushing, flossing, and periodic appointments to your Edmonton Dental Clinic.
-
Cracked Teeth
Cracked teeth are now becoming a more common dental condition. One of the major causes of cracked teeth is bruxism or clenching and grinding of the teeth during sleep. This can be prevented by a customized night guard that can be made by an Edmonton Dentist. Another cause of cracked teeth is the exposure to extreme changes in temperatures, like from ice cold to very hot. Drinking a cold iced smoothie then sipping a hot soup can cause cracked teeth.
-
Exposure of Tooth Roots
Tooth roots are attached to the bone and are covered by gums. The roots, unlike the crown, do not have enamel for protection. When the gums recede, it exposes the unprotected roots. They are highly sensitive and can cause the entire tooth to feel high sensations of cold, hot, and sweetness.
-
Thinning of the Enamel
The enamel does not have any healing or regenerative abilities. It can only get thin as time goes by. The enamel protects the tooth from extreme sensitivity. The thinner the enamel gets, the more sensitive the teeth become.
The main culprit of thinning enamel is abrasion, which is caused by the constant scrubbing of abrasive materials such as compounds in whitening toothpaste. Another major cause of enamel damage is acid erosion, which is the exposure of teeth to acid through food such as lemon, or through internal acids such as acid reflux or GERB.
-
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening can temporarily affect its sensitivity. The chemicals used to whiten the teeth irritates the nerves and causes heightened sensitivity to cold. This effect is not due to any permanent damaged caused by whitening agents and will wear off after some time.
-
Treating Sensitive Teeth
The first thing you have to do when you experience teeth sensitivity has visited a Dentist near you. If it is because of the cavity or cracked teeth, the dentist will perform dental treatment to fix it and prevent it from happening again. This may include assembling a night guard if the cracks are due to grinding and clenching. If it is because of exposed tooth roots or thin enamel, the dentist might prescribe you with anti-sensitivity gel or toothpaste. You may also want to change your whitening toothpaste or lessen the frequency of using it. You should also minimize the intake of citric acids such as lemon and lime.
