Have you ever taken a cold drink, and feel a sharp, intense feeling in your mouth? Tooth sensitivity is among the common causes of a toothache. It refers to tooth discomfort or feelings of a cavity in one or more teeth. The pain of tooth sensitivity is usually sharp, sudden, and intense. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the layer of a tooth underneath the enamel (called the dentin) or the layer covering the root get exposed along the gum line due to receding gums. Subsequently, after exposure, these areas respond to hot and cold, and sometimes too sweet and spicy foods, thereby triggering pain. Sometimes this pain starts slowly; however, if not taken seriously, it can be significant.
Some factors which can contribute to tooth sensitivity include:
- Hard brushing: Brushing your teeth with too much force, or with a hard-bristled toothbrush may wear down tooth enamel, exposing dentin and cause tooth sensitivity.
- Tooth grinding: Grinding your teeth can cause the enamel to wear away and leave the dentin exposed.
- Dental Treatments: some deep cleanings, professional and treatments can cause temporary sensitivity
- Temporary tooth sensitivity: After professional teeth-whitening treatment, there are possibilities of teeth sensitivity. Nonetheless, it is short-lived. It wears off after the teeth whitening procedure.
- Gum disease: Inflamed gum tissue pulls away from the tooth, leaving vulnerable areas exposed.
If you are exhibiting any signs or symptoms of tooth sensitivity, visit your dental professional immediately for a proper assessment.
Tooth Sensitivity: What can I do by myself?
Here are some steps you can take to prevent tooth sensitivity:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which will help prevent gum loss.
- Brush with a sensitivity toothpaste, which will continue removing plaque to clean teeth while providing fast relief from sensitivity by treating it at the source.
- Brush and floss your teeth twice a day to prevent gum loss.
- Ensure that you maintain good mouth hygiene, including between teeth and along the gum line and your tongue.
- Avoid acidic foods and drinks.
- Visit your dentist at least two times a year for a general checkup.
As you can see, it is pretty simple to manage your oral health if you do the very basics. Remember to brush and floss every day. If you have a specific question that we can answer, please feel free to reach out to us.
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