If eating something hot or cold causes a rapid pain or discomfort in your tooth, then you might be suffering from teeth sensitivity. There are various reasons behind sensitive teeth, ranging from excessive use of mouthwash to brushing your teeth too hard. This dental problem has become common nowadays and detecting the possible causes is the need of the hour.
Read on to know about the reasons behind the sensitive teeth as it may help you to find out the solution for the same.
Using hard bristle toothbrush or brushing your teeth hardly
The manner in which you brush your teeth plays a major role in tooth sensitivity. You are more prone to this problem if you brush your teeth too hard. Using a hard bristle brush can also pull your gums from the tooth roots. This, in turn, wear down the enamel and hence microscopic hollow canals or tubes are exposed causing a bad toothache.
Consuming acidic food and beverages
Another reason behind teeth sensitivity is the acidic food and beverages. This includes sticky candy, soda and high-sugar carbs, orange juice etc. The acid in these foods and beverages burns down the enamel and thus aggravating the problem. The high-acidic content may also cause discoloration, tooth erosion and decay.
Receding Gums
One of the major causes of the sensitive teeth are the receding gums. People who are already suffering from periodontal problems have an exposed ultra-sensitive root. The problem of receding gums is obvious with the age but one can take care of the teeth from the very beginning itself so that the problem may not deteriorate the situation.
Excessive use of mouthwash
Everybody loves fresh breath! But, do you know that using too much mouthwash can cause teeth sensitivity? The reason is quite simple, some over-the-counter mouthwashes contain acid and as it is aforementioned that acid can lead to worsening of the already sensitive teeth. This further enrages your problem of sensitivity.
Bleaching or Whitening
Who doesn’t want to have pearl-white teeth? But the endeavors done like whitening and bleaching for brighter teeth may help you land up with teeth sensitivity. The harsh chemicals present in the teeth whiteners not only remove the stains but enamel also. However, the sensitivity caused due to whitening is usually temporary and goes away after some time.
Cracked teeth
The reasons to be blamed for cracked teeth may vary. Biting hard candies, munching ice and large fillings may break the teeth. And when something like this happens, the crack may go very deep to the roots of your teeth. The broken tooth may fill up with plaque or bacteria which causes inflammation and unbearable pain of teeth sensitivity.
If you’ve undergone a dental work recently
Sometimes the reasons for tooth sensitivity are beyond your control. One of them is the recent dental work. If you have undergone a dental treatment recently, it may lead to some short-term teeth sensitivity. Replacement crowns, teeth cleanings, root canal and tooth restorations are some of the treatments that leave your enamel vulnerable. If the sensitivity doesn’t go away, it may signify an impending infection.
Leaky fillings or tooth decay
If you have a leaky filling or a tooth decay, chances are more that you will be encountering sensitivity in your teeth. With the passage of time, fillings worn out and become leaky around the edges. This gives a wonderful opportunity to the bacteria to get accumulated there and lead to enamel breakdown. Once the enamel is broken which means the protective layer is gone, teeth sensitivity is obvious.
Clenching or Grinding your teeth
You might have a habit of grinding or clenching youth teeth. But doing this may wear away your enamel causing teeth sensitivity. Tooth enamel may be the hardest material but it is certainly not meant for these often oblivious habits. Eventually, dentin becomes exposed and your teeth become susceptible to cold and hot temperatures.
Plaque buildup
Tartar and plaque buildup on your teeth are also the reasons behind teeth sensitivity. Plaque is not only harmful for the teeth but also for the gums and causes sensitivity and pain in both. If it is not removed from the gum line, it can result in sensitivity in teeth. It is also a major reason behind some other problems like gum diseases which ultimately progress to tooth sensitivity and may even cause tooth loss.
Teeth sensitivity can be treated provided you know the possible causes behind it. If you encounter any of the causes mentioned above, consult your dentist immediately.
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