Have you ever wondered what causes tooth sensitivity? Most of the food that we enjoy is either hot or cold. It could become very limiting if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity when consuming your favorite food or beverage. Unfortunately, this could be more than an inconvenience during snack or mealtime. There could be an underlining cause that needs to be treated by your local dental professional. You are probably wondering what is the next step if you have teeth sensitivity? This article will explain some of the possible causes and how they could be treated.
Reasons that causes tooth sensitivity
- Periodontal/Gum Disease
- Brushing your teeth too hard or aggressively
- Using a hard-bristled toothbrush
- Worn away tooth enamel (Enamel is what protects the tooth nerves)
- Exposure of roots
- Grinding of teeth
- Tooth decay
It is important to visit your local dentist if you think your tooth sensitivity might be tooth decay, infection or disease. Explain to your dentist that you have tooth sensitivity during your routine checkups. Sometimes you can treat your tooth sensitivity from home if it is related to your habits or your enamel wears away easier than normal.
Treatments at Home:
Proper dental hygiene is one of the first things you can try at home. It would help to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. It is recommended to stay away from certain types of foods and beverages. These foods and drinks are coffee, carbonated drinks, and even yogurt. Your enamel might already be worn down and these products have acid that can wear them down further. Are you a teeth grinder? You can also try wearing a mouth guard to avoid wearing down your enamel. You can learn more about mouth guards here.
Treatments in office:
Extremely sensitive teeth are usually a sign of more complex dental issues. It is important to visit your dentist to have the issue treated directly. The following treatments could include crowns, bonding, inlays, and onlays, however, it all depends on your individual case. If you have serious tooth sensitivity, your dentist may take x-rays to see if a root canal is needed.
It is extremely important that you start taking better care of your gums and teeth going forward after having them treated. This isn’t just for good hygiene, but also to relieve pain in your teeth and gums. Please give Smiles of Round Lake a call at 847-546-1542 to schedule your appointment today!