Do you feel an electric stinging sensation when you eat ice cream or drink iced tea; bite down on a chocolate bar or gulp some hot soup? There are the chances that you have “Dentin Hypersensitivity or Sensitive Teeth.” When you have sensitive teeth, actions such as; flossing, eating, drinking, brushing etc. cause sharp pain in your teeth. Various reasons ranging from trauma to dental disease can cause sensitive teeth. People falling in the age group of 20 to 50 are more prone to this condition.
What are the causes of Dentin Hypersensitivity?
Gradual exposure of the dentine, the softer part of your tooth lying just beneath the tooth enamel; causes Dentin Hypersensitivity. Dentine consists of the fluid filled nerve fibers and this fluid moves due to drinking or eating hot or cold foods, thus leading to sharp or discomforting pain in the tooth or teeth.
Dentine can become exposed due to various reasons including:
- Brushing frequently
- Brushing vigorously by applying pressure
- Brushing your teeth with hard bristled brush
- Gingivitis or Gum Disease
- Swelled or weakened gum tissues
- Bruxism or grinding your teeth at night or throughout the day
- Recession of Gums
- Periodontal Disease
- Dental procedures like Tooth Whitening
- Over consumption of dietary acids like; citrus fruits and juices
- Excessive consumption of carbonated drinks
- Thinning Enamel
- Gastric reflux
- Poor oral hygiene
What are the treatments suggested to treat Dentin Hypersensitivity?
After detecting and verifying the cause underlying Tooth Sensitivity, specific treatments are suggested by the dentists. Most commonly, below mentioned suggestions are forwarded by the dentists:
- Brush your teeth with desensitizing toothpaste, as it helps to relieve pain by filling the channels in the dentin.
- Clear the plaque, a gummy white substance which irritates your teeth; by brushing twice and flossing at least once in a day.
- Use a soft bristled tooth brush and as well apply less pressure while brushing.
- Avoid chewing tobacco, most commonly known as dip or snuff. As tobacco along with causing oral cancer also recedes the gums, thus leading to sensitivity.
- Refrain yourself from consuming excess acidic foods.
- Avoid clenching your teeth. Ask for a mouth guard from your dentist for night time.
Apart from above mentioned ways, regularly consult your dentist and follow his advice and recommendations to treat your sensitive teeth.
Contact Dr. Bikram Singh D.M.D. for any of yours tooth related problems. We use state of the art techniques and equipment to provide our patients with best possible solutions for their dental problems.