Oh! That hurts! Sensitive teeth are a terrible nuisance! You can’t focus when you have sensitive teeth because every breath brings with it a lot of pain. Even touching your teeth with your tongue can be painful and I have found it especially bad during a sudden climate change – my teeth go crazy! And I also!
So what causes sensitive teeth? Basically any type of exposure to your dentin will cause discomfort or pain. Dentin is the soft layer of the teeth that is under the enamel.
Gum recession can expose your dentin. This can be caused by gum disease or too hard brushing.
Aging, especially between the ages of 25 and 30. This is unavoidable for most people, especially after 20 years of brushing teeth too hard, most people will experience tooth sensitivity around these years. Now would be a great time to switch to a soft toothbrush and start brushing twice a day (if you haven’t already) and start flossing!
Using a hard toothbrush is a major cause of tooth sensitivity. Instead, use a softer brush and brush for 2-3 minutes instead of 30 seconds (as most people do).
Brushing your teeth regularly will also help with another common cause of sensitive teeth: plaque buildup. A build-up of plaque will lead to gum disease and receding gums, resulting in tooth sensitivity.
Teeth whitening and many other dental procedures can temporarily make your teeth feel very sensitive. This will probably last 4-6 weeks at most. Try using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth during this period to ease discomfort.
Grinding your teeth will also result in exposed dentin. Consider sleeping with a mouth guard to protect your teeth.
Acidic mouthwashes (such as Listerine) will dissolve your enamel over time, as will eating acidic foods regularly. Be careful what you eat and what you gargle. Use a neutral mouthwash and be careful not to eat too many acidic foods. This can help a lot.
Dehydration (even from alcohol or caffeinated drinks) can also cause tooth sensitivity. Stay hydrated during all seasons to combat toothache.
Go see your dentist for treatment. This will normally include a teeth cleaning and the application of a fluoride gel that will strengthen your teeth. Don’t be alarmed if your teeth are temporarily sensitive after treatment.
I have just started to experience sensitive teeth. I am 25 years old, I eat a lot of acidic foods, I grind my teeth and brush too hard. Knowing the causes of my sensitive teeth will help me alleviate the problem until I can see my dentist; I hope it helps you too.
Don’t stop visiting your dentist! The longer you put it off, the bigger the problem you’ll have to fix, which means more pain for you and a greater chance of losing your teeth in old age. Take care of them now while you can. Prevention is better than cure.
