According to WebMD, 1 in 8 adults suffer from sensitive teeth. While this dental condition is obviously quite common, that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Not all patients with sensitive teeth have a more serious dental problem, but some do. It is important to let a dentist evaluate you and determine the underlying cause for your discomfort so that an appropriate treatment plan can be initiated.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Your teeth are covered with enamel, which is the outer protective layer of your teeth. Inside your teeth are your nerves, which are super sensitive to bacteria and extreme conditions. When the enamel part of your teeth gets damaged or wears thin, it exposes the next layer called dentin. Unfortunately, dentin contains tiny pathways or tubes that lead to your tooth nerves. Therefore, any hot or cold temperatures are felt deep inside the tooth where zaps of pain are frequently produced. You may experience this pain or discomfort when the enamel becomes damaged or when the tissue in between your gum and tooth is lost.
How does this happen? There are a number of ways that enamel damage or gum recession can occur, including the following:
- Regular consumption of acidic drinks
- Untreated cavity
- Gum Disease
- Brushing too hard
- Natural Aging process
- Tooth injury/trauma
Since the cause of teeth sensitivity can vary widely, so can the treatment options. For example, if you have sensitive teeth due to a nightly teeth grinding habit, you may benefit from a custom mouth guard. Some patients may need a cavity filled or gum disease therapy and others may simply need to use a special toothpaste or lighten up their brushing strokes.
At Napa Valley Dental Group, we don’t want you to avoid family ice cream night or wince at your morning sip of coffee due to tooth pain. Let us know if you feel sensitivity of any kind when it comes to your smile. We can help!
Posted on Behalf of Napa Valley Dental Group
