IF YOU CAN’T REALLY enjoy ice cream because every bite sends a nasty jolt through your teeth, then you know what it’s like to deal with tooth sensitivity. You aren’t alone in that; at least one in eight people in the U.S. has sensitive teeth, including kids. So why does this happen to so many of us?
Dental Anatomy 101
To understand how teeth become sensitive, it helps to know a little about the structure of a tooth. The part above the gums is the crown, which is made of three layers. The outermost layer is the tooth enamel, which is the hardest substance in the body. Beneath that is the softer dentin layer, which is a lot like bone. The innermost layer is the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels.
Exposed Nerves and Tooth Sensitivity
The way the nerves in our dental pulp detect what’s going on at the surface is through the thousands of microscopic tubules running through the dentin. However, if the enamel wears too thin, these tubules can become exposed. Then the nerves inside the teeth feel way too much, which can be painful, particularly when eating or drinking anything hot or cold or even sweet or sour.
Other Causes of Sensitivity
Root exposure is another major cause of sensitivity. Unlike the crowns of our teeth, the roots don’t have a layer of enamel to protect them; that job is performed by the gum tissue. Gum recession, sometimes the result of chronic teeth grinding or of overbrushing, leaves the roots exposed and vulnerable. Sensitivity can also be caused by cavities or an injury that chips or fractures a tooth.
Protecting Your Teeth
There are a few ways you can fight back if you have sensitive teeth, and it starts with switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush if you aren’t already using one. Hard bristles can cause additional damage to the enamel and gum tissue, and soft bristles are more than enough to effectively clean your teeth. Switching to a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth can also help, as can cutting down on sugary or acidic foods and drinks (especially soda).
The Dentist Is Here to Help
If you’ve been suffering tooth sensitivity in silence, schedule a dental appointment with Judy Huey DDS, PC to discover the cause. In addition to the things you can do to reduce sensitivity on your own, there’s a lot we can do, such as applying a fluoride varnish to strengthen your enamel, performing dental restoration, prescribe a desensitizing toothpaste, or recommend a gum graft if needed to cover exposed roots.
Keeping your smile healthy and strong is our top priority!
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
Good morning Dr. Judy, I want to take the time to thank you for a few things that happened on my last visit. The first is for the greeting you gave me on my birthday. Second, the suggestion on a toothpaste. I am enjoying the Parodontax very much. I like the way my whole mouth feels. I am confident I am now using a product that will give me the premier oral care that I was missing before. Third, Dr. Judy, the job you did with my filling on my tooth was exceptional. All the details you took to insure that I was comfortable, and the energy that you projected in the job you did, made me feel relaxed and serene. I felt no pain during and after the procedure. Also, my cleaning was painless. Karen, the Hygienist, made me feel relaxed. Dr. Judy, all in all, from the moment I enter your office, until the end of my visit, I feel an essence of trust and care that is rare to find. Thank you Dr. Judy for the great job you do and for the care that you so deeply give your patients.
Rosemary Prell