What To Do For Teeth Sensitivity
Sensitive teeth can affect people differently and may last a lifetime if left untreated. Around one in eight people have dental sensitivity. There are several different treatments used for teeth sensitivity with the help of your dental team.
Table of Contents
Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth
Tooth sensitivity can range from a dull discomfort to shooting nerve pain. Depending on the cause of dental sensitivity, the signs and symptoms can be different for everyone. The common symptoms for teeth sensitivity are:
- Discomfort while eating or drinking cold foods and beverages.
- Discomfort while eating or drinking hot foods and beverages.
- Pain while eating hard and crunchy foods.
- Pain with chewing for long periods like when you chew gum.
- Pain when breathing cold air.
- Pain when brushing or flossing.
Reasons For Teeth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is rare for healthy teeth. Good brushing and flossing, a balanced diet, and routine dental visits are key to keeping enamel strong throughout your lifetime. Common causes of sensitive teeth:
- Thin Enamel: Enamel is the outer layer of the tooth that acts as protection. If your enamel is thin or compromised, the dental instruments touching the teeth can be sensitive.
- Common Causes: A high sugar and acid diet, clenching and grinding, acid reflux, trauma to the tooth, and poor oral hygiene.
- Recession: When the gums are damaged, recession occurs. This exposes the root of the tooth that does not have any enamel to protect it. Cleaning the root structure can cause a sensitive tooth after cleaning.
- Common Causes: Poor oral health, gum disease, clenching and grinding, and brushing too hard.
- Periodontal Disease: Gum disease will cause damage to the gum tissue and surrounding bone structure that supports the teeth. Active gum disease can cause sensitive teeth and recession.
- Cavities: Having your teeth cleaned with cavities can cause some sensitivity during and immediately after. Although rare, this can occur depending on how big the cavity is and the location on the tooth. Our Discover Cavities in Between Teeth has additional information.
- Sinus Pressure: When the sinuses are inflamed, they can cause pressure on the roots of the teeth. This can make your teeth hypersensitive to cold.
Ways To Fix Sensitive Teeth
There are many different treatments and products that can help relieve sensitive teeth. Certain treatments are more temporary while other dental treatments can be permanent fixes.
- Dental Cleanings: Having your teeth cleaned at least every 6 months will keep the mouth healthy and help screen for cavities, gum disease, compromised enamel, and recession.
- For some, dental sensitivity can be triggered during dental cleanings. To learn more, check out Avoiding A Sensitive Tooth After A Cleaning.
- Good Oral Hygiene: Having good homecare habits will help keep enamel strong and gum tissue healthy. This includes brushing 2 times a day and flossing daily.
- Fluoride Treatments: Receiving professional fluoride treatments at the dentist can help strengthen enamel and act as a shield for a sensitive tooth after cleaning.
- Dental Products for Sensitive Teeth: Specially formulated toothpaste and mouthwash for sensitive teeth can help prevent dental sensitivity.
- Your dental professionals can also recommend a prescription toothpaste that helps with tooth sensitivity.
- Dental Restorations: There are several different restorations that can be used for teeth sensitivity. Dental fillings and crowns can be used to protect the layers of the teeth and act as a shield for the tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What helps sensitive teeth fast?
There are several different ways you can find fast relief from tooth pain. Brush with sensitive toothpaste and keep the tooth and surrounding gums clean. Avoid chewing on that side and avoid very hot or cold things. Contact your dental professionals so evaluate the tooth and prevent further complications.
Can tooth sensitivity go away?
Dental sensitivity can go away but may need a little help. It also depends on what is causing the tooth pain. If a cavity is causing tooth sensitivity, then the only way to stop the pain is to have your dentist treat the cavity. You can start with having good oral hygiene and using sensitive toothpaste. Avoid chewing hard and crunchy foods in that area.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
