It can be difficult to live with sensitive teeth. You can’t enjoy the same foods and drinks as normal. That same hot coffee that normally starts your day off right shoots pain all through the sides of your mouth. When you try to enjoy a bowl of ice cream with your little ones, you’re stuck with the same painful sensation. If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, it’s probably time to visit your dentist in Waco because you could be experiencing a few different dental issues including tooth decay, a lost filling, or even gum recession.
Why are my teeth sensitive?
There are at least a dozen causes of tooth sensitivity, but you really only need to know that this is going on: the inside of your tooth is exposed to foreign materials and the harshness of the outside world.
The layers of our teeth consist of enamel (outermost protective layer), dentin (majority of our teeth), and the pulp (inside roots and nerve endings of our teeth). The dentin also has nerve endings that are usually blocked by the strong level of enamel, but when that becomes ineffective because of tooth decay or some other trauma, your teeth become very sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet substances.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
Some patients may think, “What doesn’t cause tooth sensitivity?” after seeing this list. The reality is that our teeth are extremely sensitive to begin with and bad dental habits can contribute to that. Here are a few common causes of sensitivity:
- Whitening or bleaching gels can cause sensitivity for a little while after a treatment—but don’t be alarmed if you got your teeth whitened in our office, that’s just our strong bleaching agent reaching the inner layers of your teeth to remove stains.
- Receding gums expose the dentin of your teeth on top and can be very painful.
- Brushing too hard can scrape away the enamel on your teeth, causing tooth sensitivity.
- Acidic foods like citrus can burn down the enamel of your teeth.
- Trauma like habitually chewing ice or grinding your teeth can cause cracks in your enamel and crowns of your teeth, exposing the inner workings of your very sensitive tooth.
Enough problems—what kind of solutions does Premier Family Dental offer?
Good dental care is critical! The consensus has been reached long ago: preventive care is key to maintaining a healthy, strong smile. You can expect your dentist to help you in these ways and receive this same advice:
- If your teeth are sensitive from minor tooth decay, Dr. Cofer will probably offer to clean and fill the affected area with a tooth colored filling.
- If your prior filling was lost or came loose, Dr. Cofer can replace it.
- Use toothpaste that is specifically for sensitive teeth (like Sensodyne) and enriched with fluoride.
- Don’t chew tobacco because it speedily destroys tooth enamel and catalyzes gum recession.
- Wear a custom mouthguard when you sleep to avoid teeth grinding and causing unnecessary wear and tear on your teeth.
Visit Premier Family Dental
It can’t be stressed enough: Prevention is key! A good portion of preventive care is visiting your dentist semiannually so they can keep an eye out for vulnerable areas in your smile. Contact our Waco office today to schedule your next appointment.