What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

Prevention and treatment advice for sensitive teeth.

Tooth sensitivity can manifest in a number of ways; from a relatively mild feeling of discomfort to a sharp pain when the teeth meet something hot or cold. This can be very unpleasant and cause you to wince in pain. All too often, this is treated as ‘just one of those things’ by many people. This is perhaps because, unlike toothache for example, the sensation usually only lasts for a few seconds and doesn’t persist like a toothache usually does.

At Blue Sky Dental, we would advise any patient that suffers from this to get their teeth checked by one of our Chelmsford dentists. There is usually a reason for this problem which can often be rectified with dental treatment. The problem that causes it can also often become worse if ignored and may lead to further damage to the teeth. It makes sense then to get the problem checked, not only to prevent sensitivity, but potentially to save the tooth too.

Let us take a look then at some of the possible causes of tooth sensitivity.

Cracked or chipped teeth

Sensitivity of the tooth usually indicates that there is a problem with the tooth enamel. Any damage can allow the sensation to pass through the porous interior and then to the nerves in the tooth and it is this that leads to pain.

If a tooth breaks, most people will see a dentist to have the tooth filled or a crown fitted as the damage is quite obvious usually. This isn’t always the case when a tooth is cracked or suffers a small chip in the surface. Often, minor damage may seem to be no more than cosmetic, but may be deeper than you  think. Even if only a small part of the inner tooth is exposed by a chip or a crack, the tooth will be compromised. Sensitivity may be one of the first problems that you experience if this happens, but as bacteria enters the softer and more porous dentin material inside the tooth, it may not be long before cavities form, followed by toothache and possible root canal infections too. Even minor damage such as this then, should be checked by one of our friendly Chelmsford dentists to be on the safe side.

Worn tooth enamel

Worn tooth enamel, or enamel erosion, is something that we may not even notice unless we already associate it with sensitive teeth. The erosion often takes place very gradually, slowly thinning until we start to notice some discomfort. This problem can happen for a number of reasons. These include brushing our teeth too hard. There is no need for this and it won’t whiten your teeth either. Regular gentle brushing of the teeth is sufficient for most people.

One of the most common reasons though these days is our consumption of acidic foods and drinks. While citric fruits such as oranges can be damaging for our teeth, most of us probably don’t eat these regularly enough for them to be too damaging as long as we look after our teeth otherwise. Increasingly, the most likely reason for this problem is the consumption of soft drinks and especially sports or energy drinks. Not only are these usually high in sugar, but they are also very acidic too. As the liquid passes over the teeth, it gradually wears down the enamel on our teeth. This can be reduced by drinking through a straw, but avoiding or minimising the consumption of these drinks is the best option of all.

Receding gums

As we get older, our gums often recede. This can also happen if we have gum disease. As the gums recede, they expose the less well protected root part of the tooth. This is susceptible to sensitivity and you may experience this if your gums recede. Gum disease is usually preventable and you should discuss this with our dental hygienist who will be able to put you on the right path.

Temporary sensitivity following teeth whitening

We thought that we would add this here although this is temporary and no treatment should be necessary. A small number of patients experience some heightened sensitivity in their teeth following a teeth whitening procedure. This is temporary and usually fairly mild. Most patients manage this for its duration with the use of their usual pain killer medication such as paracetamol.

Treatments

There are toothpastes available that help to reduce the discomfort you might feel if your teeth are sensitive.Where damage has occurred though, restorative treatments are preferred as the best solution. Fillings and crowns may be used where a tooth has broken. For enamel erosion, restoring the protective front of the tooth with a porcelain tooth veneer is likely to be the most effective solution.

If you are experiencing any tooth sensitivity, please do not ignore this and make an appointment to see one of the dentists at Blue Sky Dental to have the problem checked. You can do this by calling us on 01245 211070.