Caring for an Elderly Parent With Special Dental Needs

Understanding Why You Have Sensitive Teeth – And How To Deal With The Pain

28 November 2016

Joe Lawrence

Do you have sensitive teeth? You may think there's nothing you can do about it, but there are many things you can do to dampen that sensitivity. You need to understand why you have sensitive teeth, and what you can do about it.

Common Reasons for Sensitive Teeth

There are several reasons why people develop sensitive teeth. You may even think you have sensitive teeth naturally. However, your sensitive teeth likely come from one of these reasons.

Aggressive brushing – For some reason, many people think they need to brush their teeth hard and furiously. When you brush too hard, especially with a hard-bristled toothbrush, you can actually wear away your tooth enamel. This, in turn, will leave your teeth feeling sensitive.

Acidic foods and drinks – Acid can also wear away enamel. Acidic drinks and citrus snacks can wear away your tooth enamel and expose the tissue underneath. That exposed tissue is what creates sensitivity.

Plaque buildup – Plaque can turn food starch into acid. It literally sits on your tooth and eats away at your enamel. The more enamel the plaque erodes, the more sensitive your teeth become.

Gum disease – It's not just enamel that erodes. Your gums can suffer the same fate. As your gum line erodes, nerves and the roots of your teeth become exposed. This process usually leads to the worst kind of sensitivity.

Various other things can lead to sensitive teeth as well. In general, if it can erode your enamel or inflame your gums, then it can cause high levels of sensitivity. This can occur with whitening products, some mouthwashes, and things like constant teeth grinding.

What You Can Do About Sensitive Teeth

Dealing with sensitive teeth usually comes down to avoiding the habits and activities that can lead to them. For example, if you know you brush aggressively, then you should change your brushing habits. If you know you consume a lot of acidic foods or drink, then you should start cutting back or eliminating those things.

In addition, daily brushing and flossing will make sure the sensitivity stays at bay. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste will help to keep your enamel strong and working for you. Flossing will help to remove things from between your teeth that can turn acidic and start to eat away at your enamel.

You should also see a dentist about your sensitive teeth. Don't assume you're just stuck with sensitivity. A visit to a dental office can help you figure out if there's an underlying cause for your sensitivity. The dentist can give you instruction for dealing with it. The dentist can also give you guidelines for keeping the sensitivity from reoccurring.

Share