When you’ve ever felt a sudden, sharp ache in your mouth whereas sipping a sizzling espresso or having fun with a chilly scoop of ice cream, you’re not alone. Tooth sensitivity is a remarkably frequent challenge, affecting at the very least 40 million individuals in america, based on the Academy of Normal Dentistry. However what precisely causes delicate tooth and, extra importantly, what are you able to do about it? Let’s discover the explanations behind the discomfort and uncover efficient methods to search out reduction.
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
In accordance with the American Dental Affiliation (ADA), tooth sensitivity happens when the underlying layer of your tooth, known as dentin, turns into uncovered. Dentin incorporates microscopic tubules that result in the tooth’s nerve middle. When these tubules are uncovered, exterior stimuli like sizzling, chilly, candy or acidic meals can attain the nerves, inflicting ache. A number of components can contribute to the event of tooth sensitivity, together with:
- Worn tooth enamel from brushing too exhausting, consuming acidic meals and drinks, or grinding tooth.
- Gum illness, which might trigger gums to recede and expose the delicate root.
- Cracked or chipped tooth, which might expose the inside layers of the tooth.
- Current dental work, which can trigger non permanent sensitivity.
- Outdated, worn fillings.
- Some tooth whitening merchandise.
Widespread Triggers
Sure meals and drinks usually tend to exacerbate tooth sensitivity because of their temperature, acidity or sugar content material. These embody:
- Extremely popular meals like sizzling soup and low.
- Very chilly meals like popsicles and ice cream.
- Acidic meals and drinks like citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruit), tomatoes, pickles, sodas and sports activities drinks.
- Chewy sweets like gummy bears, which might get caught inside open cavities and below gums.
- Onerous, crunchy meals like ice and exhausting sweet, which might injury tooth enamel.
Remedies
Tooth sensitivity is commonly treatable proper at dwelling by avoiding offending meals or utilizing a toothpaste particularly designed for delicate tooth. Nonetheless, if at-home therapies usually are not sufficient, your dentist could suggest an in-office therapy primarily based on the underlying reason behind the sensitivity. These could embody:
- Fluoride varnish or gel.
- Dental bonding.
- A filling, inlay or crown.
- Gum graft.
- Root canal in additional extreme circumstances.
If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, don’t hesitate to speak to our workforce! We may also help you identify the reason for the sensitivity and suggest essentially the most applicable course of therapy.