Blog

  • Why Do I Have Sensitive Teeth ?

    Patients with sensitive teeth are only too familiar with you that sudden twinge of pain that hits when they eat or drink something extremely cold or hot. Even brushing your teeth can sometimes lead to discomfort, as sensitivity can be triggered by pressure on the teeth. Do you know why you have sensitive teeth? The best advice we can give is to book an appointment with your Borehamwood dentist at Puresmile Borehamwood Dental & Implants so we can check and identify the exact causes of your sensitive teeth and recommend the appropriate treatment.

    Symptoms of sensitive teeth

    People with sensitive teeth may experience pain or discomfort as a response to certain triggers. You may feel this pain at the roots of the affected teeth. The most common triggers include:

    • Hot & cold food and drinks
    • Cold air
    • Sweet food and drinks
    • Acidic food and drinks
    • Cold water, especially when you rinse your mouth
    • Brushing & flossing teeth
    • Alcohol-based mouth rinse

    Your symptoms may come and go over time for no obvious reason and may range from mild to intense.

    What causes sensitive teeth?

    Some people naturally have more sensitive teeth than others due to having thinner enamel. The enamel is the outer layer of the tooth that protects it. In many cases, the tooth’s enamel can be worn down from:

    • Brushing teeth too vigorously
    • Using a hard toothbrush
    • Teeth grinding
    • Eating and drinking acidic foods and drinks
    • Plaque build-up can contribute to gum disease and tooth decay
    • Erosion of the enamel exposes the inner tooth area, making teeth sensitive

    Other medical conditions can also lead to tooth sensitivity. Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), for example, can cause acid to come up from the stomach and oesophagus, and may wear down teeth over time. Conditions that cause frequent vomiting — including gastroparesis and bulimia— can also cause acid to wear down the enamel.

    Gum disease and recession can leave sections of the tooth exposed and unprotected, also causing sensitivity.

    Treating medical conditions that cause tooth sensitivity

    If underlying conditions are causing your tooth sensitivity, you’ll want to treat it before it causes the enamel to wear down and damage the teeth.

    GERD can be treated with acid reducers, and bulimia should be treated under a supervising psychiatrist.

    Receding gums can be treated by brushing more gently and maintaining good dental hygiene. In cases of intense sensitivity and discomfort due to severe gum recession, your dentist may recommend gum recontouring. This procedure involves taking tissue from the palate and placing it over the root to protect the tooth.

    You can train yourself to stop clenching or grinding your teeth by being mindful not to do so during the day. Reducing stress and caffeine before bed can also help prevent you from grinding your teeth at night. If this doesn’t work, you can use a mouthguard at night to prevent the grinding from damaging your teeth.

    Tooth decay, broken and chipped teeth, and worn-down fillings or crowns can leave the dentin of the tooth exposed, causing sensitivity. If this is the case, you’ll likely only feel sensitivity in one particular tooth or region in the mouth instead of the majority of your teeth.

    Your teeth may be temporarily sensitive following dental work like getting fillings, crowns, or teeth whitening. In this case, sensitivity will also be confined to one tooth or the teeth surrounding the tooth receiving dental work. This should subside after a few days.

    How are sensitive teeth diagnosed?

    If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity for the first time, make an appointment here at Puresmile Borehamwood Dental & Implants near Watford, Hertfordshire. We’ll look at the health of your teeth and check for potential problems like cavities, loose fillings, or recessed gums that could be causing the sensitivity.

    Your Borehamwood dentist will do this during your routine dental cleaning. We’ll clean your teeth and do a visual exam. We may touch your teeth using dental instruments to check for sensitivity and may suggest an X-ray on your teeth to rule out more serious dental problems.

    How is tooth sensitivity treated?

    If your tooth sensitivity is mild, you can try over-the-counter dental treatments.

    Choose a toothpaste that’s labelled as being specifically made for sensitive teeth. These toothpastes won’t have any irritating ingredients and may have desensitizing ingredients that help block the discomfort from traveling to the nerve of the tooth.

    When it comes to mouthwash, choose an alcohol-free mouth rinse, as it will be less irritating to sensitive teeth.

    Using softer toothbrushes and brushing more gently can also help. Soft toothbrushes will be labelled as such.

    It typically takes a few applications for these remedies to work. You should see an improvement within a week.

    If home treatments don’t work, talk to your dentist about prescription toothpaste and mouthwash. We may also apply fluoride gel or prescription-grade desensitizing agents at the practice. These can help to strengthen the enamel and protect your teeth.

    Should I see my dentist about tooth sensitivity?

    You should also make an appointment with your dentist if you experience symptoms of cavities or potential root damage so you can get treatment quickly and prevent further complications. These symptoms may include:

    • Spontaneous tooth pain occurring without an obvious cause
    • Tooth sensitivity in a single tooth
    • Sharp tooth pain
    • Staining on tooth’s surface
    • Pain when biting or chewing

    If you’re worried about sensitive teeth or any temporary or a chronic pain problem in a single or multiple teeth book your dental appointment today.