5 Common Reasons Why Your Teeth Are Sensitive

Sensitive teeth can cause discomfort, but you don’t have to put up with them forever.

Does eating ice cream, drinking cold water or brushing your teeth make you wince in pain? If you answered yes to this question, you may have sensitive teeth. The good news is that you don’t have to deal with the discomfort forever. If you figure out why your teeth are sensitive in the first place, you can solve the problem.

Here are five reasons other than having a cavity as to why your teeth may be sensitive:

1. You brush your teeth with too much force

Brushing your teeth with a lot of force might seem like it would remove plaque better, but it can actually do more harm than good. When you brush your teeth too aggressively, you can wear down the enamel and expose the dentin. You can also cause excessive trauma to the gums, creating recession and more sensitivity. Switch to a soft-bristle toothbrush and scrub your teeth more gently.

2. You just had a dental filling

It isn’t uncommon to experience tooth sensitivity after getting a cavity filled. When your tooth is exposed to air, cold or sweet foods, you may feel some discomfort. Colgate.com assures that the sensitivity will normally diminish within a week or two. However, if the sensitivity doesn’t decrease in that time frame, call your dentist.

3. You use mouthwash too often

Mouthwash can remove bacteria from your mouth and lower your risk of gingivitis, but using it too often can result in tooth sensitivity. Alcohol and other chemicals in mouthwash can make your teeth more sensitive. If you don’t want to stop using mouthwash, choose a neutral rinse that doesn’t contain alcohol.

4. You eat too many acidic foods

If you eat acidic foods, such as oranges, tomatoes and pickles, on a regular basis, you are more likely to have sensitive teeth. These foods can erode the enamel of your teeth, leaving the dentin exposed. If you don’t want to give up acidic foods, at least eat some nuts or rinse you mouth with water afterward to neutralise the acids in your mouth.

5. You grind your teeth

Tooth grinding can make your teeth more sensitive. When you clench down on your teeth, the enamel will slowly wear away, uncovering your tooth nerves. Teeth clenching also bruises the support structures and nerve supply for the tooth making it more tender and hyper-reactive to cold and pressure – hence more sensitivity. A nighttime appliance (a bit like a special anti-teeth grinding mouth guard) can prevent you from grinding your teeth.

If your teeth are still experiencing sensitive teeth even after you’ve made several lifestyle changes, contact your dentist for an evaluation as you may have a cavity, leaking filling or a crack in your tooth.

If it’s be six months or more since your last dental check then contact us today.