Forest Smiles – The Best Dentist in Lynchburg, VA
In case you are staying away from cold and frozen foods and hot drinks because your teeth are too sensitive, maybe it is the right time to find out what causes this unpleasant issue. According to some statistics, more than 40 million adult Americans are suffering from tooth sensitivity. Yet, only a small number of people know what causes this problem. Before we list these causes, let’s analyze the problem itself.
The vast majority of the tooth’s content consists of dentin a material that includes tiny tubules packed with very small nerve endings. The dentin is kept safe with the help of a strong outer layer made of enamel. It is also good to know that the dentin goes down all the way to the root and in this area, it is protected with a cementum coating. Once the dentin loses the protection of these coatings, it tends to react with sticky, acidic, cold and hot foods and beverages.
Now let’s highlight the direct causes of teeth sensitivity:
– Tooth erosion caused by beverages and foods loaded with acids
– Worn enamel as a result of improper intense brushing of teeth
– Recession of gums
– Tooth decay, broken and damaged teeth and compromised fillings
– Reaction after dental treatment
– Teeth grinding (bruxism)
If you are looking for a solution for this problem that can lead to even more serious issues, it is the best idea to talk to your dentist. By learning more about the symptoms, the dentist should be able to determine the exact cause of sensitive teeth. After that, they can provide proper treatment. In many cases, the treatment consists of cavity repair or simple filling replacement in case it’s worn. But, in cases when the direct cause is gum recession, it might be necessary to use gum graft because the protection of the root surface is very important.
There are cases when determining the cause of teeth sensitivity is unclear, but even in cases like this, patients can get an efficient treatment. For instance, some dentists use fluoride gel for relief. There are also some desensitizing commercial toothpaste that have proven to be helpful.
In any case, whenever you notice tooth sensitivity, take this situation seriously and talk to your dentist.