The Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth pain is often a result of irritation to the nerves inside your teeth. Typically, our teeth are protected by a layer of enamel, with a material called dentin beneath it, and at the core, the pulp, which contains blood vessels, connective tissue, and the tooth’s nerve. When enamel becomes thin or is breached, exposing the dentin, the nerve is no longer shielded, leading to sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by various factors or conditions that can erode or damage the enamel. Here are some common causes of tooth enamel damage:
- Consuming acidic foods and drinks, particularly before bedtime, can wear down enamel over time.
- Neglecting regular oral care, such as flossing, can allow plaque to build up and contribute to enamel erosion.
- Aggressive brushing or using a hard toothbrush can wear away enamel and lead to sensitivity.
- Attempting to use professional dental tools at home can damage teeth and enamel.
- Health conditions like bulimia or acid reflux expose teeth to stomach acid, which weakens enamel.
- Untreated gum disease and gum recession can cause the gums to pull away, exposing more sensitive parts of the tooth.
- Cracked, chipped, or damaged teeth can expose the dentin, leading to discomfort.
- Dental cavities, especially untreated ones, can lead to increased sensitivity.
- Using tobacco, cannabis, or vaping products can irritate the gums and cause enamel loss.
- Teeth grinding or clenching can wear down enamel, leading to pain.
- Overusing teeth whitening products can lead to increased sensitivity due to enamel thinning.
If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, identifying the cause is the first step toward finding the right treatment and relief.
What Can You Do About Sensitive Teeth?
When you experience tooth sensitivity, the most important thing is to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. We’ll thoroughly assess your situation to determine the cause and recommend the best treatment options. This step ensures you’re addressing the right problem and gives you a clear path forward. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:
Identifying the Cause
We won’t jump to conclusions about what’s causing your pain. During your appointment, we’ll ask you to describe the type of sensitivity you’re experiencing and when it occurs. We may take new X-rays and perform a detailed examination of your teeth and gums. Additional tests, such as tapping on teeth or applying cold to check for reactions, may also help us pinpoint the cause.
Treatment Options
Depending on the findings, we may recommend a variety of treatments. If your sensitivity is due to tooth decay or damage, we can treat it with fillings, crowns, or other restorative procedures. If worn enamel is the issue, you might be able to address it with at-home solutions, but we may also offer in-office treatments for more immediate relief. We’ll present all available options, and you’ll decide what feels right for you.
Customized Advice
Tooth sensitivity can arise from several sources, and once we identify the cause, we can offer specific recommendations tailored to your needs. We’ll provide advice on strengthening your enamel at home, suggest lifestyle changes, and offer tips on preventing further issues. Together, we’ll help you maintain a healthy smile and avoid future discomfort.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Start by switching to a toothbrush with soft bristles and make sure to brush gently twice a day with desensitizing toothpaste, especially along the gumline. Flossing regularly and rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash can further help protect your teeth. Avoid acidic and sugary foods and drinks, like coffee, soda, wine, and fruit juices, especially before bed. If you tend to clench or grind your teeth, practicing mindfulness or other relaxation techniques may help reduce stress on your jaw. However, to fully address and stop the pain, seeing the dentist is essential to determine the underlying cause.
In some cases, improving your at-home dental hygiene can help prevent further erosion and decay, allowing your enamel to heal. Fluoride treatments can significantly support this healing process. However, keep in mind that dental pain is your body’s signal that something may be wrong. If enamel has been severely damaged or decayed, leading to exposed dentin, you could be at risk of infection or an abscess, and further treatment will be necessary.
While stress doesn’t directly cause tooth sensitivity, it can contribute to it. People under stress often neglect their oral care routine, eat more acidic or sweet foods, or smoke more. Stress can also cause teeth grinding or clenching, sometimes even while sleeping, which can worsen sensitivity and enamel damage.
Certain foods can contribute to or worsen tooth sensitivity by eroding enamel. Acidic foods wear down enamel, while sugary and starchy foods feed harmful bacteria in the mouth, producing acids that also damage enamel. Hard foods can physically wear away enamel or cause tooth damage.
Foods to watch out for:
- Acidic foods: Coffee, wine, fruit juice, citrus fruits, soda, tomatoes, pickles, and vinegar.
- Sweet foods: Chocolate, jams, caramel, sugar, hard candies, ice cream, and extra sugary drinks.
- Starches: Donuts, cakes, bread, chips, crackers, and cookies.
- Hard foods: Chewing ice, hard candies, or foods with pits or hard kernels like popcorn, cherries, or olives.
This doesn’t mean you have to avoid all of these foods, but it’s important to practice moderation and clean your teeth regularly, especially before bed.
For tooth sensitivity, choose foods and drinks that are low in acid and sugar. High-fiber foods are excellent for your teeth, as well as dairy products that promote saliva production, which helps protect enamel. A balanced diet with plenty of protein and calcium will also support your oral health.
Here are some tooth-friendly options:
- Drinks: Water, green tea, and black tea.
- Snacks: Raisins, nuts, celery and carrot sticks, apple slices, and cheese.
- Meals: Stir-fries, salads, wraps, meats, potatoes with veggies.
- Desserts: Yogurt, ricotta with berries, and applesauce.
Eating a varied, nutritious diet while following a good oral hygiene routine can help reduce sensitivity and keep your teeth in great shape.
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