Top Reasons Why Your Teeth May Be Sensitive

Sensitive teeth can become quite a nuisance. You may have tooth sensitivity when eating certain foods or drinking certain beverages. You may also notice discomfort when you brush or floss, or when you have a professional cleaning by a dental hygienist.

Here are the top reasons why you may be suffering from tooth sensitivity:

(1) Brushing too hard. Are you brushing with too much force or using a toothbrush with bristles that are too firm? This can wear down the protective layers and expose the tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. Be gentler when brushing and use an extra soft toothbrush.

(2) You are consuming too many acidic foods. This can cause pain because the pathways to your nerves can get exposed.

Read more: Things to Avoid Eating & Drinking.

(3) You have gingivitis or gum disease. Are your gums bleeding when you brush or floss? Receding gums can cause tooth sensitivity. Your dentist can treat this.

(4) Excessive plaque. The build-up of plaque can wear down your tooth enamel. Just one of the many reasons why it is so important to visit your dentist to get a professional cleaning every six months to help prevent this.

(5) You have a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth. Your dentist may be able to repair this or it may have to be extracted and replaced. If it would have to be removed, you would at least have the option to replace it with a dental implant restoration.

(6) You are using a whitening toothpaste. If you are using a whitening toothpaste, your teeth may be too sensitive to the whitening chemicals. It would be a good idea to try changing the type and brand of toothpaste. Ideally, you would want to switch to a sensitive toothpaste and see if it solves the problem.

(7) You grind your teeth. This wears down the enamel, which may end up exposing the dentin. The dentin contains the hollow tubes that lead to your nerves. It would be wise to invest in a custom-made mouthguard to protect your teeth as you sleep.

Read more: How Do I Know if I’m Grinding My Teeth at Night and How to Stop Grinding Teeth

(8) Your fillings may need to be replaced. Fillings can weaken overtime, and bacteria can accumulate. This can lead to a build-up of acid and breakdown of enamel.

Try not to worry too much if you have sensitive teeth. It is treatable! Your dentist can perform an oral examination and get to the bottom of it. The main thing is to book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to prevent the problem from getting worse.

If you are in the Surrey area, call us today!