More than 3 million Americans suffer from tooth sensitivity. While some are sensitive to cold, many are equally sensitive to sweets and may even cringe at the thought of sugary foods and drinks. As it turns out, you can treat your tooth sensitivity. Your success at this will, however, depend on how you’re able to identify and tackle the cause.
While this blog will provide some useful information, your dentist is still the first person you should talk to about how to treat your tooth sensitivity.
Tooth Sensitivity Causes
Your tooth sensitivity may come and go. Or it could be constant.
It’s often caused by the exposure of the dentin on the root areas of your teeth. This, in turn, is usually caused by gum recession, gum disease or erosion of the enamel or top layer of your tooth.
While the crown of the tooth is adequately protected by enamel, the root is not. Rather, it is covered by cementum. When this cementum erodes, the nerves underneath are exposed. This is why people react sensitively to cold, hot or sweet substances.
Common tooth sensitivity causes include:
- Teeth grinding
- Aggressive or overzealous brushing
- Abrasive toothpaste
- Bulimia
- Excess acidity of the diet
- Acid reflux disease
- Dry mouth
- Excess whitening of the teeth
Tooth Sensitivity Treatment
To start with, talk to your dentist about your tooth pain or sensitivity to cold, hot, sweet or acidic substances.
Rule out or treat underlying cases of cavities or tooth decay. Your dentist will let you know whether you’ll need an ADA-approved desensitizing toothpaste, fluoride gel, gum graft, filling or root canal depending on the cause and severity of your sensitivity.
Getting completely over your tooth sensitivity causes may also require changes to your diet as well as maintaining adequate oral hygiene.
Those who have experienced it know how frustrating tooth sensitivity can be. As frustrating as it can be, booking an appointment with your dentist is the first step to overcoming it quickly and easily.
For more information on tooth sensitivity causes and treatment options available to you, schedule a visit or contact us today at 970-812-0355.
Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:
970-221-5115
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526
