Are you someone who suffers from tooth sensitivity, but aren’t sure why? Unexpected pain or discomfort when consuming hot or cold food and drinks are common symptoms of sensitive teeth. Figuring out the root cause will help you understand the steps to take in getting yourself feeling better.
What is tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity manifests as an intense reaction to temperature extremes, sweet or acidic substances, cold air, and even tooth brushing. If you’ve experienced a brief, acute pain while savoring ice cream or sipping hot soup, you’re familiar with this condition. Sensitive teeth can turn eating into a difficult task and may prevent you from fully enjoying your favorite foods and beverages.
Symptoms of sensitive teeth
Symptoms of sensitive teeth can range from mild pain to extreme discomfort. Pain can come and go, and may be worsen on occasion. The source of your sensitivity can determine whether you experience discomfort in a single tooth or across multiple teeth simultaneously.
Understanding tooth structure
Understanding the anatomy of a tooth is crucial in identifying the cause of your dental sensitivity. Each tooth consists of 1) a crown, which is the visible part of the tooth, and 2) the root, which anchors the tooth into your jaw. Components of the crown include:
- Tooth enamel: The hard, white looking layer that protects the sensitive inner parts of the tooth.
- Cementum: A thin, protective layer of bone-like tissue underneath the gum line that protects the tooth root.
- Dentin: A layer of softer tissue which contains tiny canals
- Pulp: The soft tissue inside each tooth that contains blood vessels, connective tissue and nerves.
When enamel begins to deteriorate or erode (a process known as dental erosion), it exposes the underlying dentin. In this condition, consuming something cold, like a popsicle, can trigger intense tooth sensitivity. This occurs because the unprotected nerve endings in your tooth’s root respond to the stimulus by transmitting signals to your brain. The result is an abrupt sensation of sensitivity and discomfort in the affected tooth.
Causes of tooth sensitivity
A range of factors can lead to tooth sensitivity but there are two main underlying factors: Enamel loss and gum recession.
Causes of Enamel Loss
- Acid erosion: Excessive intake of acidic and sugary substances, particularly carbonated drinks and other high-sugar beverages.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux may experience accelerated enamel erosion. This is due to the frequent exposure of teeth to stomach acid that re-enters the mouth after digestion.
- Environmental issues: Every day wear and tear, friction and stress.
- Dry Mouth: When your body is not producing enough saliva, your mouth can become too dry resulting in enamel loss.
- Genetics: Some people have thinner tooth enamel due to their genetics.
Causes of Gum Recession
- Brushing too hard: Brush too aggressively can cause damage to your gums resulting in gingival recession. When this occurs, you may notice a sudden onset of tooth sensitivity.
- Teeth Grinding or Clenching: Excessive, prolonged pressure on teeth can lead to gum recession and other dental problems. If you’re prone to nighttime teeth grinding, we recommend discussing the advantages of using a night guard with our team at Freytag Orthodontics or your general dentist.
- Gum Disease: If you have gum disease, you are at an increased risk of gum recession. It’s important to take good care of your oral hygiene to reduce plaque and tarter buildup for these reasons.
- Hormonal changes: Hormones can have a direct effect on your oral health among other things. It can even speed up the process of gum recession.
- Smoking: Tobacco products increase plaque build-up on teeth, which over time can lead to a greater risk of gum recession.
Treating Tooth Sensitivity
Maintaining good oral hygiene is key to keeping your teeth healthy and your enamel strong. Here are a few tips on how to take good care of your teeth and avoid sensitivity.
- Brush gently twice a day with a soft bristle toothbrush in a circular motion to keep your teeth and gums clear of plaque and tarter buildup. Click here for more tips on proper brushing.
- Visit your dentist twice a year for a dental cleaning and checkup.
- Avoid acidic foods and drinks as much as possible. If you do consume soda, be sure to brush your teeth immediately after so the sugar does not sit on your teeth for a prolonged period of time.
Benefits of Orthodontics
Keep in mind that teeth can also become sensitive if they are not aligned properly or if your bite is off. This is because it’s harder to keep overlapping teeth clean – there are more areas for plaque to hide when teeth are not in proper alignment. Overbites, underbites and crossbites can also cause pain because of how the teeth come together when chewing food. Over time, this friction can cause pain and sensitivity.
At Freytag Orthodontics, we can help align your teeth and jaw to avoid these issues in the future, or alleviate pain you may already be experiencing. Visit our website or give our office a call to schedule a free consultation: 520-365-6703.