Have you ever felt a sudden, sharp pain that shoots right into the nerve endings of the teeth when something cold, hot or sour touches the teeth? This sensation is called sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is an extremely common problem faced by people of all ages. When you have sensitive teeth, activities like brushing and eating can cause a sharp but temporary pain in your teeth.
Tooth sensitivity is caused due to the exposure of dentin, the part of the tooth that covers the nerve. This could be caused due to the following reasons;
- Consuming too many acidic foods/beverages
- Brushing the teeth too hard causing wearing out of tooth enamel
- Frequent brushing
- Gum disease
- Grinding of teeth
- Excessive use of whitening products
- Tooth decay
- Aftereffects of a dental treatment
Teeth sensitivity is caused due to an underlying issue, hence a visit to the dentist is crucial. Treatment of the condition will depend on the causative factor. A few home remedies that can be tried to reduce tooth sensitivity that is not extremely severe are;
- Avoid excessively hot or cold food products
- Use a toothpaste meant for sensitive teeth
- Learn to brush properly. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and do not brush aggressively as that can lead to wearing off the enamel
- Avoid foods that trigger tooth sensitivity. Foods that are acidic in nature like pickles can attack the enamel. Irrespective of whether you suffer from tooth sensitivity or not, it is always best to limit the intake of certain foods that damage the enamel.
- Brush your teeth twice every day for two mins each time. Brush your teeth only 20 minutes after a meal and not before that.
- Schedule a visit to the dentist often in order to regular checks
The aforementioned tips may not be of assistance in relieving severe cases of sensitivity. A visit to the dentist will help establish the cause of the condition and the best possible treatment options, them being;
- Use of a Desensitizing toothpaste
- Fluoride gel treatments
- Crown, inlay or bonding procedures
- Surgical gum graft
- Root canal treatment
Always remember that tooth sensitivity may be caused due to reasons other than consumption of hot or cold food products. Any discomfort caused as a result of toothaches should be consulted with a dentist. A visit to the dentist once in every 6 months is recommended.
General Dentist
Aster Clinic, Tecom
