Tooth Sensitivity to Cold and Hot
People who suffer from tooth sensitivity avoid daily activities such as consuming hot or cold foods and beverages as well as brushing their teeth. These simple activities cause tooth sensitivity sufferers to live in constant fear of severe pain. Sensitivity occurs when the dentin, a porous tissue in your teeth, becomes exposed. The dentin has microscopic channels, called tubules, which are pathways to the nerve. When dentinal tubules are exposed, due to receding gum tissue or enamel loss, nerves are more easily triggered by certain stimuli causing tooth sensitivity.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Tooth sensitivity is among the common causes of a toothache. The phrase “tooth sensitivity” refers to tooth discomfort or feelings of toothache in one or more teeth. The pain of tooth sensitivity is usually sharp, sudden and shooting. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the layer of a tooth underneath the enamel (called the dentin) or the layer covering the root (called cementum) is exposed along the gum line due to receding gums. The exposed areas respond to hot and cold, and sometimes too sweet and spicy foods, and trigger pain. Some factors which can contribute to tooth sensitivity include:
Overzealous brushing: You can have too much of a good thing. Brushing your teeth with too much force, or with a hard-bristle toothbrush, may wear down tooth enamel, expose the cementum or dentin and cause tooth sensitivity.
Tooth grinding: Grinding your teeth can cause the enamel to wear away and leave the dentin exposed.
Dental cleanings or treatments.
Temporary tooth sensitivity: which can occur after a professional teeth-whitening treatment, but usually goes away shortly after the procedure ends.
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.
Sensitive Teeth Treatments
If you have sensitive teeth, don’t neglect your daily oral care routine. Just be sure to use a soft toothbrush and soft floss. You can also try a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Several brands are available, and you should notice some improvement with regular use of any of them. Also, try spreading some sensitizing toothpaste along the exposed cementum or dentin area before bed to help reduce sensitivity. Just use your fingertip or a cotton swab to rub the toothpaste directly onto the exposed spot.
See your dental professional for proper assessment and to find out the best steps to take for treatment.
How to Prevent Tooth Sensitivity
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 relief from sensitivity.
Brush and floss your teeth twice a day to prevent gum loss.
Be sure to clean all parts of your mouth, including between teeth and along the gum line.
Avoid acidic foods and drinks.
Crest Sensi-Stop Strips are thin, flexible strips which are applied directly to sensitive areas, providing targeted delivery of the key ingredient. Within minutes, strips build a lasting barrier that helps to stop sensitivity pain, relieving symptoms for up to 30 days.
We recommend using Oral-B Sensitive Replacement Brush Heads when treating teeth sensitivity. When it comes to teeth sensitivity, a healthier mouth starts with good brushing habits.
What Helps Sensitive Teeth?
If you have sensitive teeth, don’t neglect your daily oral care routine. Just be sure to use a soft toothbrush and soft floss. You can also try a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Several brands are available, and you should notice some improvement with regular use of any of them. Also, try spreading some sensitizing toothpaste along the exposed cementum or dentin area before bed to help reduce sensitivity. Just use your fingertip or a cotton swab to rub the toothpaste directly onto the exposed spot.
