Do You Have Questions About Sensitive Teeth?
At one time or another, most of us have had food or drink at certain temperatures cause some tooth discomfort. Sometimes brushing or flossing is painful. If this happens to you, you may have sensitive teeth. While usually temporary, sensitive teeth may be an early sign of more serious underlying dental problems. Who gets sensitive teeth? Can it be avoided? Is there anything that can be done if you have sensitive teeth?
What You Need to Know About Sensitive Teeth
Tooth sensitivity is a common dental problem, and we get asked about it a lot. Here are the answers to some questions we have been asked about sensitive teeth:
Who gets sensitive teeth? More than 40 million adults have sensitive teeth. There are no known risk groups for tooth sensitivity — it can happen to anyone and at any age.
Will sensitive teeth go away? There are situations where tooth sensitivity may go away on its own. If you’ve had a recent dental procedure such as a crown or filling, you may experience a short period of sensitivity. But with persistent sensitivity, the problem causing the sensitivity could worsen if only the symptoms are treated without finding the cause.
What causes the sensitivity? The sensitivity is due to the dentin layer of your tooth being exposed. Dentin is less dense than the other tooth layers, so when exposed, it allows heat, cold, and acids to reach nerves inside your tooth, causing discomfort and pain.
Why is my dentin being exposed? Gum recession from gingivitis or periodontitis can expose dentin. Enamel can wear away from grinding, brushing too hard, long-term use of acidic mouthwash, and more. Dentin can be exposed through cracked or decayed teeth, as well. A proper diagnosis is important for successful treatment. If you are bothered by sensitive teeth, you need to see us so we can identify the cause or rule out possible sensitivity-causing conditions.
The best way to prevent tooth sensitivity is to practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily and seeing us for regular checkups and cleanings. When was your last checkup? Call us to set up an appointment now!
Best,
Dr. Fara Afshar
