The Biggest Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Have you ever taken a sip of something cold and felt a sharp pain shoot across your mouth as a result? Cold food and drinks can often alert us to a common but inconvenient problem; tooth sensitivity.

This is caused by a variety of factors, and while it is treatable it is important to understand what is contributing to this issue so you can begin to change your behavior in order to prevent future toothaches.

Brushing Too Hard

A regular brushing regimen is key for exercising proper dental health, but just like anything else, over-brushing can lead to issues down the road. Brushing too hard or too frequently will often erode enamel over time exposing sensitive nerves.

Try using a soft toothbrush and lightly running over your teeth in circles to effectively brush without wearing down the top layer of your teeth.

Too Much Mouthwash

Just like with over-brushing, using too much mouthwash will also harm otherwise good teeth. The ingredients in mouthwash include alcohol and chemicals that make teeth sensitive.

Switching to a neutral fluoride rinse or skipping this altogether might be the way to go.

Grind Much?

If you experience even a low amount of anxiety then you most likely grind your teeth. Most people grind in their sleep and stay completely unaware of their predicament.

A simple mouth guard can prevent you from continuing to grind down your enamel. Continuing to grind your teeth will expose the middle layer of your tooth called dentin, which contains raw nerves that make your teeth incredibly sensitive.

Cracked Teeth

Cracked or chipped teeth expose painful areas that will flare up when touched by extreme temperature foods. Talk to your dentist about getting a cap put on problem areas in order to protect them from the elements.

Gum Disease

Gingivitis will lead to the recession of gums, or in some cases inflammation that causes pain during gestation. There are dental procedures that can definitely help with this. Your dentist will have more information about the next steps to take.

General Decay

While most of the causes of tooth sensitivity can be solved or prevented, this one simply comes with age. There is not much you can do to prevent the general aging and gradual decay of your teeth. Fillings get weak and tooth decay creates leakage leading to sensitivity. Talking to your dentist about the possibility of getting your fillings redone might be the best option in this case.