Do you avoid ice cream, soup or coffee due to sensitive teeth? Teeth sensitivity is often described as wincing or sharp tooth pain that happens after coming in contact with hot or cold temperatures. While sensitive teeth are common and not always cause for concern, it should still be investigated.
There are a number of factors that can cause certain teeth to express more feelings than others. In some cases, these jolts of pain from your teeth are cries for help and a sign your oral heath needs attention. The first step to finding relief is understanding the reason for your sensitive teeth.
Causes of Teeth Sensitivity
One of the primary culprits to sensitive teeth is enamel loss. Enamel is the hard outer layer of your teeth. The next layer (dentin) is softer and has tiny holes that lead to the center of your tooth where the sensitive nerves reside. Therefore, if the enamel wears thin or suffers damage, your tooth becomes susceptible to pain and sensitivity. There are several reasons why patients have eroded, damaged or compromised tooth enamel and suffer from sensitivity, including the following:
- Untreated decay
- Too many acidic foods/drinks
- Natural aging process (enamel wears thin)
- Overuse of teeth bleaching products
- Gum disease or gum recession
- Chipped or cracked tooth
- Infected tooth
- Bruxism
Treating Your Painful Teeth
If you find yourself wincing in pain after sipping coffee or even covering your mouth when you walk outside into the cold air, don’t ignore it. There are many ways to treat your sensitive teeth. At Dream Dentist, we will recommend one of the following remedies based on the cause of your sensitivity:
- Bonding
- Cavity Repair/Filling
- Root Canal/Crown
- Mouthguard for Nighttime Bruxism
- Gum disease therapy
- Special toothpaste for sensitivity
Everyone deserves a comfortable smile! If you have painful teeth, let us help. Call our O’Fallon clinic today to book your appointment.
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