Sensitive Teeth? One of These May Be the Culprit

Sensitive Teeth? One of These May Be the Culprit

If particularly cold or hot foods and drinks make you cringe when they hit your teeth, you may think you have sensitive teeth and that's that. In fact, there are many things you may be doing (or not doing) to cause your teeth to be more sensitive, and getting to the bottom of what's causing your sensitivity can also improve your oral health overall.

-Bruxism, or tooth grinding, is an extremely common problem, especially amongst those feeling chronically stressed or anxious. Generally people clench their jaws together or grind teeth against each other, often in their sleep. If you're a nighttime grinder, it may be difficult to diagnose, but your dentist can take a look at your teeth and see telltale signs of bruxism- flattened/worn down tips of teeth and cracked or broken teeth are common in severe cases. He or she can also prescribe a mouth guard to keep you from damaging your teeth while you sleep.

How does bruxism cause sensitivity? Grinding teeth together wears away at the enamel. If it persists long enough, you can strip away enough enamel to expose the more sensitive inner layers of teeth.

-Acidic foods are another major culprit when it comes to enamel damage. Foods with high acidity levels like soda, red wine, energy drinks, pickles and many fruits can eat away at enamel over time. Many people unknowingly worsen the damage by brushing their teeth immediately after consuming these types of foods. In fact, highly acidic foods can temporarily weaken or soften your enamel, so brushing immediately can cause minute scratches and scrapes in enamel. Wait 20 to 30 minutes after eating, and then brush your teeth to receive maximum health benefits while inflicting minimum damage.

How do acidic foods cause sensitivity? In much the same way as bruxism wears away at enamel, acidic foods strip your teeth of their enamel over time, exposing the sensitive middle of the teeth.

-Gum disease is very common in adults and can result from lack of proper preventative care like brushing and flossing. Symptoms like bleeding during brushing or flossing, receding gums, sore gums, loose teeth, puffy, painful gums, and/or pain when chewing may point to gum disease. Your dentist can tell you whether you're at risk or currently have gum disease, and provide you with a treatment plan to lessen or even reverse the damage.

How does gum disease cause sensitivity? As gum disease progresses, the gums can pull away from the base of the teeth, exposing the root. Since the root is normally covered by the gums, it does not have a protective layer of enamel, so when extreme temperatures or even firm pressure is applied to these areas, it tends to be uncomfortable.

-Brushing too hard or with a stiff-bristled brush can damage enamel over time as well. It may seem to make sense that brushing harder makes your teeth cleaner, but in fact there's only so much a toothbrush can do. If you're still scrubbing away after the two-minute mark, chances are you've stopped cleaning and started scratching. In the same vein, most people don't need a stiff-bristled toothbrush- soft or medium bristles actually clean better by being more flexible and gentle.

How does brushing too hard or with the wrong brush cause sensitivity? If you guessed 'because it damages enamel' you've got it. Anything that wears away or damages enamel can make your teeth more sensitive over time.

If you have sensitive teeth, it's not necessarily something you have to live with. Your dentist can tell you if you're at risk or suffering from any of these conditions, or others that may potentially cause sensitivity. Often you can do certain things to lessen your discomfort, but remember that when tooth enamel is gone, it's gone for good- so be careful with what you have!