You likely already know if you suffer from sensitive teeth. Biting into a cold ice cream sandwich or drinking a hot tea may sound delicious, but for those who suffer from sensitive teeth, the hot and cold are best left alone. Having sensitive teeth can take enjoyment out of life because you need to censor what you eat so as to not irritate your teeth and cause you pain. In order to help fix your sensitive teeth, it’s important to identify why you are afflicted with it in the first place. The cause of sensitive teeth is not the same for each person.
Different causes of sensitive teeth
In some people the cause of sensitive teeth can be tooth decay, better known as cavities. When there is a cavity in a tooth, the pain can be almost unbearable. It’s best to seek out the help of a dentist and get a filling if you have a cavity. This will help ease the sensitive tooth pain and avoid further complications such as needing a root canal.
If a filling has been in a tooth for too long, it may become worn overtime and wear down, this too can cause you to have sensitive teeth. Sometimes a filling needs to be removed and replaced with a new one in order to properly protect the tooth and avoid unwanted pain.
Gum disease is also a common culprit for a cause of sensitive teeth. Receding gum lines, caused by gum disease, often are the source of tooth pain and require a minor surgical procedure to fix.
Sensitive teeth are also caused by worn down tooth enamel. You can wear your tooth enamel down by drinking excessive amounts of soft drinks or fruit drinks. It can also be caused by conditions out of your control such as acid reflux. Teeth can only withstand so much exposure to acids before they start to break down and cause you pain.
How to fix sensitive teeth
For serious problems your dentist may need to intervene and do some dental work. Sometimes a simple filling will do the trick when other times a crown, root canal, or gum graft might be necessary in order to stop the pain of sensitive teeth. For at-home treatment you can purchase desensitizing toothpaste and use it as per the manufacturer's instructions. You can also visit your dentist regularly and receive fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel.
If you are concerned that you have sensitive teeth and are unsure what to do, consult with your dentist to figure out the best and safest course of action to tackle your sensitive teeth.
