5 biggest causes of teeth sensitivity
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Mild tooth pain or twinge in a tooth occurs at times when you drink cold or hot drinks and sometimes while breathing in air. Right?
Then you have sensitive teeth.
Don’t scare. This is just a common dental problem. Around 57% of people in our country have suffered from this teeth sensitivity. You are not going to lose your tooth because of teeth sensitivity.
Teeth Sensitivity occurs when the white colored outer layer of your teeth (Teeth Enamel) wears down or the underlying surface of a tooth gets exposed. As the inner surface of a tooth is very thin, its exposure to foreign particles like air, cold drinks produce some pain or sensitivity.
It is the common cause for teeth sensitivity, also known as Hyper Dentin Sensitivity. Factors or causes that trigger this are enormous.
If you find the root cause, then it will be easy to find the solution to cure and get rid of this issue. Here we have listed common things which cause tooth Sensitivity.
1. Teeth Grinding
Few people grind their teeth while sleeping without their knowledge. In contrast, many people grind their teeth due to stress or uncontrolled anger. I hope that you also did that. Right?
The habit of clenching your teeth makes the dentin and other inner components of your teeth vulnerable to damage. When you constantly grind your teeth, it causes a crack on the enamel of your teeth.
This is followed by enamel thinning, weakening and enamel loss.
2. Aggressive Brushing
Some people brush their teeth aggressively to remove the stains and yellowish layer on their teeth.
Remember that if you brush with hard hand (applying overpressure with a brush), the soft bristles of your toothbrush take away the enamel along with the stains on your teeth.
Then your teeth lose protective cover and become sensitive to foreign particles.
Dentists suggest people avoid side to side brushing. Place your brush at 45 degrees towards the gum line and brush gently. It will help you to clean your teeth and gum without damaging your teeth.
3. Gum Disease
Plaque and Tartar build up on your teeth surface make your oral health prone to bacterial infection. Bacteria present in the plaque penetrate the gum tissues beneath the teeth.
When bacteria infect your gum lines, the gums begin to recede. Now the underlying surfaces like tooth root, dentin and others are disclosed.
4. Cracked Tooth filling
When you undergo teeth filling or cavity filling treatment, you will experience teeth sensitivity for some days after treatment. It is not uncommon. You don’t need to worry about it.
Over time, the filling materials become weak and are prone to break. If the fillings get crack, it makes an opening in the tooth and exposes the inner elements of the tooth. It is followed by teeth sensitivity when the tooth touches cold.
Visit your dentist to repair the fillings. If it is not treated at right time, the bacteria and acidic substances penetrate the gum line through the tooth. Then you need to extract the tooth.
5. Orthodontic appliances
Orthodontic Appliances like braces, Invisalign help you to makeover your smile by aligning the dentition but they will cause teeth sensitivity if you do not maintain them properly.
Food particles that stuck between the braces will turn into acids and are responsible for demineralizing enamel. Similarly, the food debris is also responsible for deposition of plaque.
Both will result in sensitive teeth. Hence you need to maintain an efficient oral care on your orthodontic retainers.
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, teeth sensitivity is a common oral issue but you need to visit your dentist regarding this. This is because various dental diseases like periodontal diseases and dental caries cause sensitive teeth as a warning signal to diagnose them in an earlier stage.
You can get appropriate dental advice and cure for this issue at a dental office.
If you are aware of other factors that stimulate sensitivity in teeth, please enter it in the comment box.
