Don’t Ignore It! Why You Should Treat Your Sensitive Tooth

Do you cringe when people bite ice cream? Does it bring you a familiar sensation of pain in your teeth?

If you find yourself avoiding too hot or cold drinks because you have a sensitive tooth, then this article is for you.

The most important thing to do when you have sensitivity is not to ignore it. We’re all used to leaving things for later, and people do it even more when it comes to dental health.

But teeth sensitivity can often be an indicator of something else going on, which usually isn’t good. That’s why it is crucial to prevent it from getting worse and end up with more discomfort and spending hundreds on fixing it.

For instance, if your sensitivity is due to a cavity and you never get it filled in, it can escalate to different issues. Lousy breath, infections, and even tooth loss, all of these are a possibility if you leave it for too long. 

To be able to address a sensitive tooth, you must first understand what could be causing it. You can find a solution once you’ve figured out what’s causing the problem.

What Causes a Sensitive Tooth?

First, check out what are some of the things that could be causing you sensitivity: 

Aggressive Brushing

If you’re brushing your teeth with a hard-bristled toothbrush, you must know it can wear down your tooth enamel over time. This is the tooth’s outer layer, which serves to protect the tooth.

Worn tooth enamel can progressively reveal the dentin layer, which is the second layer of your teeth and contains nerve endings. Cold drinks or foods can irritate the nerves in the mouth, causing acute, intermittent pain.

Toothpaste With Whitening Properties

Although whitening toothpaste might brighten your smile, you could be allergic to the chemicals found in these whitening compounds.

Its regular use might produce irritation and discomfort. Alcohol-based mouthwashes can also make teeth sensitive to cold.

Acidic Foods

Believe it or not, acidic foods can also eat away at tooth enamel, exposing nerve endings. Acidic foods include the following:

• Lemons
• Apples
• Peaches
• Oranges
• Tomatoes
• Tomatoes  

You should try to eat acidic foods in moderation, especially if you’re feeling sensitivity already.

Teeth Clenching

This is quite complicated because most people don’t even realize they clench their teeth as it can happen while sleeping or when you’re very concentrated.

Grinding your teeth can wear away tooth enamel and reveal dentin. Teeth grinding, if left untreated, can cause sensitivity to cold drinks and foods.

Tooth Decay

A tooth’s nerve terminals can potentially be exposed by an untreated cavity or a damaged dental filling. When exposed to cold, your damaged tooth may experience discomfort or sensitivity.

5 Ways You Can Treat Your Sensitive Tooth

You don’t have to keep suffering from sensitivity. There are several options for eliminating it. This, of course, depends on what your Clairemont dentist determines, but these are some of the options you’ll find:

• Better Brushing Practices 

You can reduce cold sensitivity by changing the way you clean your teeth. You can start by getting a brush with soft bristles and trying not to brush too hard.

Brush gently and with a variety of motions. Brushing too hard can cause minor bleeding during brushing.

• Changing Your Diet

What you eat affects everything. To treat a sensitive tooth, you may have to make some dietary adjustments in addition to fluoride treatments. This includes avoiding very acidic meals, which can cause your tooth enamel to deteriorate.

• Get a Mouth Guard

Face paint, headaches, earache, and a stiff jaw are all symptoms of teeth grinding while sleeping. Consult your doctor to see if a mouth guard is necessary.

A mouth guard protects your teeth from crushing and clenching. Your dentist may also recommend fluoride treatments or a fluoride paste to strengthen your enamel if it is worn.

• Treatment of Fluoride

When you visit a Clairemont dentist, they could recommend you to get a fluoride treatment to strengthen your tooth enamel. They’ll also give you a prescription fluoride paste and a fluoride rinse may.

Visit a Dentist in San Diego

The best and most effective way to treat tooth sensitivity is with dental procedures. Your Clairemont dentist may use a specific resin to cover sensitive, exposed dentin and relieve your discomfort if you have exposed nerve endings.

A surgical gum transplant can also protect or cover exposed roots if you have gum disease and gum recession.

Gum grafts relieve the discomfort by transplanting gum tissue from another portion of the mouth to an exposed area. 

Dental fillings for cavities, conducting a root canal to remove tooth decay or infection from inside a problem tooth, is another treatment that relieves sensitivity.

If you have made up your mind and want to get your sensitive tooth looked at as soon as possible, don’t hesitate to contact Serena Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. 

Dr. Kurt is an experienced, high-skilled dentist who can give you an effective treatment for your sensitivity. Don’t waste more time and book your first appointment today.