Dental sensitivity occurs when there is a kind of wear and tear of tooth enamel, exposing dentin, which is an inner layer that envelops the nerves of the teeth. Exposure of sensitive parts of the teeth causes a feeling of pain and discomfort, which can be triggered by contact with hot, cold, sweet or acidic beverages or foods, and intensity varies depending on the size of the wear and the exposed dentin area.
To treat this change and relieve symptoms, it is necessary to consult the dentist, who may indicate strengthening the sensitized areas with options such as toothpaste or fluoride varnish, and, if necessary, restore areas that have lost enamel.
- Brushing your teeth more than 3 times a day or with a hard bristle brush can promote tooth enamel wear.
- Increasing sensitivity.
Gum retraction, which occurs when there is a decrease in the amount of gum covering one or more teeth, can occur due to tooth disease or poor brushing and leads to increased exposure of dentin, which is a tissue that forms the tooth and is close by.at the root, making teeth more sensitive, as well as increasing the risk of infections.Learn how to treat gum retraction.
Bruxism, which is a condition in which a person grinds teeth involuntarily at night, can cause enamel to wear out on multiple teeth, increasing sensitivity. In addition to increased dental sensitivity, grinding teeth can cause problems with the joint connecting the jaw to the skull.
Dental treatments such as whitening, cleaning, or restoring teeth can increase dental sensitivity by causing temporary erosion of tooth enamel.
Some foods can erode tooth enamel and promote tooth decay, which can make your teeth more sensitive. Foods that are too acidic or too citrus, such as lemon, vinegar and pineapple, or too sweet, such as cakes and chocolates, can increase dental sensitivity. Learn about other foods that can damage your teeth.
To treat sensitive teeth, the dentist will look for the cause and guide certain treatments, such as:
In addition, certain precautions should be taken at home to avoid wear and help, such as not using force when brushing, washing your mouth with fluoride-containing rinses, and using specially formulated toothpaste to relieve dental sensitivity, such as Sensodyne, Sensitive Colgate, Pro-Sensitive Oral B, or Sensitive Aquafresh, for example.
There are also home options to supplement treatment with your dentist, which can help relieve symptoms, such as making echinacea tea with vitamin C or using clove oil.. Know the home remedy recipe for dental sensitivity.