If you happen to’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 widespread difficulty, affecting at the very least 40 million individuals in the USA, in accordance with the Academy of Common Dentistry. However what precisely causes delicate enamel and, extra importantly, what are you able to do about it? Let’s discover the explanations behind the discomfort and uncover efficient methods to seek out reduction.
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
In line 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 elements can contribute to the event of tooth sensitivity, together with:
- Worn tooth enamel from brushing too exhausting, consuming acidic meals and drinks, or grinding enamel.
- Gum illness, which may trigger gums to recede and expose the delicate root.
- Cracked or chipped enamel, which may expose the interior layers of the tooth.
- Latest dental work, which can trigger momentary sensitivity.
- Previous, worn fillings.
- Some enamel whitening merchandise.
Frequent Triggers
Sure meals and drinks usually tend to exacerbate tooth sensitivity as a consequence of their temperature, acidity or sugar content material. These embody:
- Extremely popular meals like sizzling soup and occasional.
- 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 may get caught inside open cavities and below gums.
- Laborious, crunchy meals like ice and exhausting sweet, which may harm tooth enamel.
Therapies
Tooth sensitivity is usually treatable proper at dwelling by avoiding offending meals or utilizing a toothpaste particularly designed for delicate enamel. Nevertheless, if at-home therapies are usually not sufficient, your dentist could advocate an in-office remedy primarily based on the underlying explanation for the sensitivity. These could embody:
- Fluoride varnish or gel.
- Dental bonding.
- A filling, inlay or crown.
- Gum graft.
- Root canal in additional extreme instances.
In case you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, don’t hesitate to speak to our crew! We might help you establish the reason for the sensitivity and advocate probably the most acceptable course of remedy.
