By Arthur Kezian
Do you feel tooth sensitivity when you drink cold water or when you brush them? Sensitivity is a very common type of pain in cosmetic dentistry, and the good thing is that you don’t have to put up with it. There are a number of things you can do to help lessen sensitivity or even stop it completely.
To understand why your teeth are sensitive in the first place, you should understand some of the reasons leading to sensitivity.
One reason why you might feel tooth sensitivity around your teeth is because you brush with too much force or use a brush that has very hard bristles. Constant brushing with too much force can cause wearing of your teeth overtime. You will feel sensitivity when you drink something cold because you are wearing away a protective layer of your teeth. The simplest way to change this is to switch to a brush that has softer bristles and to brush your teeth without exerting too much force.
One other reason sensitivity may occur is because of toothpastes or mouthwashes. Some toothpastes have whitening substances inside them that can cause sensitivity for some people. If this is your case, you should switch your toothpaste or use one that is specifically for sensitivity, like Sensodyne. Some people have more sensitive teeth than others and can even get the sensitivity because of excessive use of mouthwash. Mouthwash contains alcohol and other chemicals that may cause tooth sensitivity; you can try switching to neutral fluoride rinses instead, or ask your dentist for an alternative.
You may also have sensitivity due to the foods you eat. Certain foods that are acidic in nature can cause sensitivity. These foods include, but are not limited to, lemons, grapefruits, kiwis, nectarines, pickles, vinegar, and even tomato sauce. If you are having sensitivity from the foods you are eating, be cautious of what you consume.
Here are some more reasons:
Sensitivity may also occur because you may have gum disease or because your gums have receded. This is very common with age, especially if you don’t pay much attention to your oral health. If the sensitivity is a lot, your dentist can seal the edges of the teeth around the gum line with a small filling to stop the sensitivity or even use a special chemical that can seal the area and act as a protective layer.
Sometimes sensitivity can even occur from fillings that have been done years ago and need replacement because there is decay around the edges of them.
One other reason may be because of plaque. If you have a lot of built up plaque, then that too can wear off your enamel overtime. Keep up with your dental visits and cleanings every six months and make sure your home care is good!
You can also feel sensitive from:
You can also feel sensitivity if you grind your teeth. Grinding your teeth can also wear your enamel away and cause sensitivity. The solution for this would be to get and start wearing a mouth guard. Custom-made mouth guards are the best because they fit your bite perfectly.
Sensitivity can also be caused by recent dental work. It’s common to feel some sensitivity after a filling or after getting a crown. This type of tooth sensitivity is normal and temporary because the teeth have just been worked on. If the sensitivity does not go away though, you should visit a dentist to have the area checked out.
Another reason why you might feel tooth sensitivity is because your tooth might be chipped or even cracked. Depending on the size of the chip or crack, your dentist will decide upon the treatment that should be done.
Now that you know about the possible reasons, it is good to know who to call in case you feel sensitivity:
Make an appointment with your local dentist if you feel sensitivity like the ones mentioned above. If you have any questions about sensitivity and the causes of it, feel free to contact Dr. Arthur A. Kezian. He and his staff will answer all your questions and ease your concerns.
Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777