Causes Of Sensitive Teeth

The vast majority of the tooth’s content consists of dentin – a material that includes tiny tubules packed with very small nerve endings. The dentin is kept safe with the help of a strong outer layer made of enamel.

It is also good to know that the dentin goes down all the way to the root and in this area, it is protected with a cementum coating. Once the dentin loses the protection of these coatings, it tends to react with sticky, acidic, cold and hot foods and beverages.

Why do you need to address sensitivity?

You might think you can just avoid the things that trigger your sensitivity, but it isn’t as simple as this. Sensitivity is often caused by an underlying issue, and it’s the underlying issue that you need to address. If you ignore small problems like sensitivity, you could face much more serious problems further down the line.

Now let’s highlight the direct causes of teeth sensitivity:

Enamel erosion

Your teeth might look solid, but they are actually quite soft. They are protected by an outer layer of enamel which is harder and protects the soft structures underneath. When this layer of enamel is damaged, there is nothing you can do to get it back. You can damage your enamel by choosing food and drink that is acidic, such as fizzy drinks or sour sweets.

Enamel loss can also lead to small holes in the enamel which can leave the nerves of the tooth more exposed to hot and cold sensations. This is one of the most common causes of sensitive teeth. Using a specialist toothpaste designed to remineralise the tooth surface can help to prevent this type of sensitivity.

Brushing too hard

Another cause of enamel loss is caused by individuals with the best intentions. It’s possible to brush so hard that you lose a layer of enamel on your teeth. This can be made worse by using a toothbrush that is too hard or by using abrasive toothpaste.

You’ll need to switch to a softer brush, use a sensitive toothpaste, and adjust your brushing style to help prevent this.

Receding gums

If you have receding gums due to gum disease, this can lead to an increase in sensitivity. This is because the gums protect the tooth root, but when the gums are damaged by inflammation, the root is left exposed. This can leave you feeling very sensitive to hot and cold.

To correct this, you will need to start treatment for gum disease. This might mean regular trips to the dental hygienist for a scale and polish cleaning. This helps to remove inflammation-causing bacteria from the gum line and provides some protection for teeth.

Teeth grinding

If you grind your teeth at night, this can lead to premature wearing of the tooth surface. This can leave your teeth feeling very sensitive and sore. If you wake up in the morning with a sore jaw, there is a good chance you are grinding your teeth at night.

It’s essential to address this problem, as teeth grinding can lead to lots of issues, including damage to the tooth roots which could lead to tooth loss.

Damaged teeth

A tooth that has been damaged by chipping or if you previously had a crown that has come loose may be more sensitive than surrounding teeth. This is because the root of the tooth is more likely to be exposed. You can also experience this if you lose a filling, as your dentist will have to drill away the enamel to make space for the filling material, so when it’s lost the tooth will be more vulnerable.

To address this, you need to visit the dentist for restorative treatment on your tooth. This could mean a new filling or crown to help protect the tooth.

What can you do about sensitivity?

By learning more about the symptoms, your dentist should be able to determine the exact cause of sensitive teeth. After that, they can provide proper treatment.

In many cases, the treatment consists of cavity repair or simple filling replacement in case it’s worn. But, in cases when the direct cause is gum recession, it might be necessary to use gum grafting because the protection of the root surface is very important.

There are some cases when determining the cause of tooth sensitivity is unclear, but even in cases like this, patients can get an efficient treatment. For instance, some dentists use fluoride gel for relief. This is applied to the teeth and left before rinsing away. It helps to protect the remaining enamel by strengthening it. This can help to prevent further enamel loss.

There are also many desensitizing toothpastes on the market that have proven to be helpful. These help to close the small holes that appear on the surface of the teeth, and repeated use can help to address sensitivity.

Looking for more help and advice?

If you notice that you have tooth sensitivity, then you should take this situation seriously and talk to your dentist. For more advice, please contact us now. During a routine checkup, we can explore the causes of your sensitivity and offer recommendations to help put things right.