Sensitive teeth is a very common problem among everyone, young and old. But what really causes sensitive teeth? We are uncovering ten common causes – some of which might surprise you!
Too Much Mouthwash!
Everyone loves minty fresh breath, but no one loves sensitive teeth. Frequent use of mouthwash can actually cause your teeth to become more and more sensitive. Many mouthwashes contain acid which overtime can break down the enamel on your teeth causing sensitivity. Luckily you can still have minty fresh breath and help protect your teeth – ask your dentist about neutral fluoride rinses.
Attack of the Acidic Food!
Tomatoes, Lemonade, oranges oh my! Many wonderful foods are naturally acidic but that acid breaks down the enamel on teeth to expose the dentin beneath. Foodies rejoice, combat the acid wear by eating a piece of cheese or enjoying a nice cold glass of milk after eating.
The Dark Side of Tooth Whitening
One of the best accessories is a beautifully white smile, unfortunately some tooth whitening applications and toothpastes obtain peroxide-based bleaching solutions that can cause sensitive teeth. Ask your dentist about options and products that do not cause sensitive teeth but can integer your smile.
Gum Troubles
Receding or exposed gums can be a leading cause to sever sensitive teeth. The roots of your teeth contain thousands of very small tubes that lead to your tooth nerve centre. Talk to your dentist right away if you have receding or exposed gums.
Don’t Brush too Hard!
Brushing too hard has twice the impact in causing sensitive teeth. With hard brushing, you can expose tooth roots and cause receding gums as well as wear down the enamel on your teeth, exposing dentin. Continue your brushing but lighten up a little on how hard you are brushing.
Taking too Good Care of Your Teeth!
Believe it or not, recent or regular dental care can sometimes cause short term sensitivity in teeth. If you are worried about sensitive teeth, talk to your dentist about it before regular cleanings or any dental work.
Cracked Teeth Curse
We all love a good crunchy food like chips or hard candies but they can cause your tooth to chip or crack. This exposes nerve-rich pulp within your tooth which causing pain. Cracked teeth can also collect bacteria leading to inflammation and more pain. If you have chipped or cracked your tooth, see your dentist as soon as possible.
The Not So Good Daily Grind……of Teeth
Enamel is one if the strongest materials within the human body but it cannot stand up to the damage caused by grinding or clenching your teeth. This unconscious habit breaks down enamel exposing dentin and leaves your tooth nerves more vulnerable. Talk to your dentist about options such as mouth guards to help protect your teeth.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay or cavities expose the roots of your teeth causing pain and sensitivity to a variety of things including hot liquids, sweets and even air! Battle tooth decay and sensitive tether by brushing and flossing regularly, regular dental checkups and eating right.
Know Your Teeth!
There my be other root causes that are making your teeth sensitive and causing pain. Talk to your dentist about the issue and see what options are available to help ease or stop the pin caused by sensitive teeth.
If you are suffering from sensitive teeth, please contact us today to set up an appointment and we can help!
