What better on a cold winter day then popping inside for a hot cocoa or coffee to warm up! But you take a sip and ouch, a sharp pain in your tooth makes you cringe. Or you’re enjoying a nice refreshing glass of water to quench your thirst after working out and same – ouch! Temperature extremes definitely cause you to notice that troublesome and painful sensitive tooth but getting to the root of the problem is important!
Common Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
Enamel is your tooth’s armor. It protects the part of your tooth above the gum line. Under that gum line is cementum, a layer of protection for the tooth root. Below both is dentin. Less dense than enamel and cementum, dentin contains little hollow tubes or canals. When your dentin loses its outer layers of protective covering, heat and cold or even acidic foods can reach those sensitive nerves, causing pain and discomfort. Some common culprits that lead to this are:
- Tooth decay (cavities)
- Fractured teeth
- Worn fillings
- Gum disease
- Worn tooth enamel
- Exposed tooth root
Protecting Your Teeth
Your teeth are letting you know there’s a concern but what can be done to protect your gumline to minimize gum damage?
- Go easy when brushing your teeth. Intense, aggressive brushing can cause exposure of dentin.
- Be mindful of drinking overly acidic beverages like coffee, pop, tea, juices, and wine as they can wear down tooth enamel.
- Make sure to keep regular dental appointments to monitor tooth grinding, which can affect your gum health.
If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity issues, call our office at 248-852-3130 for steps you can take to alleviate the symptoms and make certain there aren’t any additional underlying causes of discomfort.
Note: Information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified dental and medical health providers with questions you may have regarding your specific dental or medical conditions.
