You’ve taken your family out for a day of hiking along one of the many beautiful, scenic areas of Castle Rock. As you finish your trek back to the car, you recommend stopping for ice cream. With everyone in agreement, you pull up and order your favorite, delectable treat. As you take the first bite, you suddenly grasp your cheek and cringe in pain. What is happening? Why is there a sharp, stinging pain pulsating through your tooth? This common occurrence is known as tooth sensitivity, and it plagues millions of people for various reasons. To better understand what is causing you to look upon your ice cream with sadness instead of joy, a dentist explains the root causes behind sensitive teeth and what they can do to help.
Tooth Sensitivity: Why It Happens
The nerve inside your tooth (the pulp) is responsible for the painful response to cold. The response is normal in young teeth and diminishes over the years. Remember when you were a child and learned very quickly to never bite into ice cream? Have you noticed that sensitivity coming back again? When that tooth sensitivity comes back, you may wonder what is happening within the tooth. When consuming a food or beverage that is cold or, sometimes, hot, you likely feel sharp, shooting pains in one or more of your teeth. Why? Something is irritating the pulp of your tooth and your tooth is telling you about it. There can be many reasons for an irritated pulp: a wrench slips and bangs into the tooth, a crack develops in the tooth, your dentist works on your teeth, you clench your teeth while studying for your final exams, or a cavity gets too deep.
One reason for increasing temperature sensitivity may be that something is causing the dentin layer of your tooth (that which lies underneath the top layer, enamel) to be exposed along the gum line. If you’re wondering how this layer becomes unprotected, it is usually because of receding gums.
You may think, “Okay, receding gums are the cause of my tooth sensitivity.” While this may be a valid explanation, let’s go one step further to find out why your gums are receding in the first place. This will give us a clearer understanding of why your tooth sensitivity occurs. The most common reasons include:
- Brushing your teeth and gums too hard
- Gum disease
- Teeth grinding or clenching
How to Treat Teeth That are Sensitive Due to Recession
Your dentist can help you determine why your teeth are sensitive. If recession is the cause, your next question may be, “What can be done to fix it?”
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be something you live with day-in and day-out. Your dentist can be your greatest ally, recommending beneficial, over-the-counter products you can use. The most reliable form of treatment is to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that is designed specifically for sensitive teeth. Consisting of various desensitizing agents, this type of product can create a barrier between the discomfort you’re experiencing and the nerve of your tooth. You will also want to make sure you’re brushing gently to avoid causing additional damage to your teeth and gums. You can also use an alcohol-free mouth rinse to avoid irritating your sensitive teeth.
Remember, it may take several applications before you begin to notice a difference. You may see improvement within a week, but be diligent and patient with this approach; it can take weeks before you notice a dramatic difference.
Should you require more high-grade products, your dentist can prescribe certain toothpaste and mouthwash as well as apply fluoride or prescription-based desensitizing solutions during an in-office visit.
Don’t continue to “deal with” sensitive teeth. Teeth that are sensitive to temperature changes may be trying to tell you something. Talk to your dentist about ways in which you can take control of your oral health and start enjoying your favorite foods and beverages.
About the Author
Dr. L. Blaine Kennington graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill before going to work for Clinical Research Associates. For 12 years, he served as a dentist in the United States Air Force, completing a residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry from 1994-1996. Moving to Castle Rock in 2002, he opened his practice and has been helping the city’s residents ever since. When faced with increased tooth sensitivity, he and his team can offer the right method of treatment to help you enjoy your favorite ice cream or cold beverage again. If you are needing help to minimize the pain you’re experiencing, visit our website or call (360) 703-9092.