The Top Causes of Tooth Sensitivity and Solutions to Help

Have you been experiencing sudden dental discomfort upon snacking on a freezing-cold ice cream? Or have you been wracked with sudden toothache after brushing or flossing that makes you back off from oral hygiene practices? Such cases point out a very common dental concern called tooth sensitivity. Mostly tooth sensitivity manifests as sharp, sudden, and sometimes intense, persistent tooth pain.

Many people are unable to figure out why their teeth feel sensitive. Knowing the dental sensitivity causes is essential to identify a viable solution for it. This article by a top dentist in Gurgaon at AK Global Dent, delves into the main causes of tooth sensitivity and even provides ways to get relief from sensitive teeth.

Biggest Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Teeth sensitivity usually happens when dentin is exposed to acidic or sticky foods or extreme temperatures but its culprit can even be other issues like cracked teeth, gum disease, or dental cavities. Dentin is the second layer of the tooth protected by hard enamel and containing tubules or channels that reach the tooth nerves in the tooth. The dentinal tubules allow the stimuli- the sweet, acidic, hot, or cold food, to reach the tooth nerves, causing pain. People aged between 25 and 30 years show high sensitivity to teeth sensitivity.

Here are the 10 causes of tooth sensitivity along with their solutions:   

1. Too hard brushing- Using a hard-bristled toothbrush and practising brushing with excessive force can sometimes wear down the protective teeth covering and expose the hollow root canals that further connect the dental nerves. The simplest solution to this is shifting to a proper, gentle brushing technique with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

2. Mouth rinsing with an acidic mouthwash- Over time use of harsh chemical or alcohol-based mouthwash can affect teeth enamel. It can expose your dentin and cause or worsen teeth sensitivity. Therefore, dentists recommend neutral fluoride mouth rinses or otherwise ask the patient to be more diligent in other oral hygiene practices and skip the use of mouthwash.

3. Intake of sugar-loaded or acidic food and drinks- In case you have exposed tooth nerves, eating sugary and/or acidic foods such as lemon soda, pickles, grapefruit, and tomato sauce, coffee, and candy can make your dentin more prone to sensitivity. That’s why dentists recommend limiting or avoiding the consumption of such foods that cause dental discomfort.  

4. Bad oral habit of teeth grinding- Teeth grinding or clenching regularly can eventually make the dentin less protected due to wear down of teeth enamel. As dentin contains the root canals that meet the dental nerves, the exposure of dentin can cause teeth sensitivity. If you are a tooth grinder, you must consult a dentist soon to get a custom-made mouthguard that can stop you from grinding your teeth.   

5. Gum disease/Periodontitis- This dental issue can typically provoke swelling of the gums and/or dental recession which can expose the tooth roots and lead to sensitivity. If periodontitis is your problem, book an appointment with a dental hygienist or a periodontist to treat your underlying condition and even receive a procedure to seal your teeth.   

6. Excessive dental plaque build-up- Brushing and flossing are recommended to be done daily to get rid of food debris from the mouth and prevent excessive dental plaque accumulation. A dental plaque is a bacterial biofilm made on the food stuck on or between the teeth above or below the gumline. It can cause the wearing of teeth enamel which again means vulnerability to sensitivity. The solution to this is to daily practice good oral hygiene and go for professional dental cleaning every 6 months.

7. Chipped or cracked tooth- A broken, chipped, or cracked tooth is prone to be infected with mouth bacteria. The bacteria can travel down through the tooth’s fractures or cracks into the dentin and cause pain or sensitivity. If that’s what is happening with you, your dentist will be asked to evaluate your unique tooth condition and decide for you the appropriate treatment course, such as tooth extraction or placing of a dental cap.  

8. Frequent use of teeth whitening products- Many people use teeth whitening toothpastes. These toothpastes contain harsh dental bleaching agents that can cause teeth sensitivity by wearing down the teeth's enamel. The solution to this is switching to a toothpaste that does not contain harsh chemicals or avoiding the use of teeth whitening products.

9. Recent dental work- It is normal to experience some degree of teeth sensitivity after professional dental cleaning, tooth extraction, root canal, dental fillings, dental restoration, or crown placement. Typically, the teeth sensitivity after undergoing a dental procedure is temporary. If teeth sensitivity persists, you must re-visit your dentist to find out the underlying problem, as there could be an infection which must be timely treated. 

10. Decay around the edges of dental fillings- As one gets older, existing dental fillings can weaken and fracture or leak around their edges. Such sites are more likely to have bacteria residing, which ultimately result in acid build-up and breakdown of tooth enamel. If you are experiencing such a consequence of having a dental filling, you must visit a dentist to get your filling replaced.

Besides the specific solutions aforementioned, people with sensitive teeth can use over-the-counter desensitising toothpaste. But better is to consult a dentist near me and ask which toothpaste to use. Long-time use of desensitising toothpaste can help some people by blocking the pain/discomfort associated with sensitive teeth.

Conclusion

There are several causative factors of tooth sensitivity. Whether you will require treatment will depend on the cause of tooth sensitivity. Serious teeth sensitivity will need treatment by a dental expert while mild teeth sensitivity can be addressed with just practice of good oral hygiene and the use of desensitising toothpaste. A good dentist can help identify your cause of tooth sensitivity and accordingly recommend you with the best treatment possible.

If you are looking for the best dental clinic in Gurgaon to get your tooth sensitivity addressed, schedule an appointment today at the AK Global Dent!

AK Global Dent is renowned for routine professional cleaning and teeth whitening treatment in Gurgaon. It has a team of expert dental surgeons and professionals who perform all types of general, restorative and cosmetic dental treatments.

It is also the best dental implant clinic in Gurgaon offering varieties of dental implants in Gurgaon at affordable prices with exceptional results.

Get in touch to achieve a healthy oral health and get rid of tooth sensitivity.