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What is Tooth Sensitivity?

Do you feel discomfort while eating something extremely hot or cold? Do sweet and sour foods also trigger pain sometimes? There is a good chance that you have tooth sensitivity. Sensitive teeth cause sharp and sudden pain sometimes.

Tooth sensitivity occurs because the inner layer of your teeth gets exposed due to receding gum tissue. This layer is called dentin. Therefore tooth sensitivity is also known as dentin hypersensitivity.

Read on if you wish to gather information on the following:

  • What are the Causes of Tooth Sensitivity?
  • What are the Symptoms of Tooth Sensitivity?
  • What are the Home Remedies for Sensitive Teeth?
  • How is the Tooth Sensitivity Treatment Done?

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

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Some of your everyday habits which trigger tooth sensitivity are as follows:

  • Not brushing & flossing daily
  • Consuming excessive sticky foods
  • Unhealthy snacking between meals
  • Not taking enough dental care
  • Eating and drinking starchy and high-sugar food or beverages

Be aware of the habits mentioned above because they may also lead to tooth decay and other chronic dental health issues in the longer run.

Other factors that majorly contribute to teeth sensitivity are mentioned as below:

  • It can be a temporary side effect of a teeth-whitening treatment you recently took.
  • Too much plaque build-up due to poor dental hygiene.
  • Clenching Teeth or teeth grinding or can also lead to exposed dentin.
  • If you brush too hard, it can also erode the outer layer of your teeth.
  • Damage or cracks in teeth.
  • The recession of gums or gum disease.
  • Dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, restoration, and dental crown placement can also trigger tooth sensitivity.
  • Decaying of teeth can also make the outer layer of teeth vulnerable.
  • Excessive consumption of acidic foods and beverages.

What are the Symptoms of Tooth Sensitivity?

If you are going through sensitive teeth, you will probably witness the following symptoms:

  • Sensitivity reaction to acidic foods.
  • Sharp pain and discomfort while having sugary food or drinks because of the teeth sensitivity to sugar.
  • Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold food or drinks resulting in pain or discomfort.
  • Pain & discomfort while brushing and flossing.

What are the Home Remedies for Sensitive Teeth?

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You can take care of sensitive teeth pain at home with the help of these home remedies for sensitive teeth:

  • A hard-bristled toothbrush can damage your teeth enamel. So if you feel sensitivity in your teeth, immediately switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • If you are in the habit of clenching and grinding teeth, you need to find ways to control it. Visit your dentist for that if needed.
  • Avoid sugary and acidic foods and beverages as they dissolve tooth enamel leading to exposed dentin.
  • See your dentist often, at least once or twice a year. They can diagnose any dental health condition in formative days. That helps for quick treatment.
  • Follow the oral hygiene routine suggested by your dentist. Generally, it is brushing twice a day and flossing before going to sleep.
  • Use fluoride-rich mouth rinse and toothpaste. Fluoride gets you relief from sensitive teeth and prevents your teeth from other ailments.
  • Use toothpaste specially made for sensitive teeth. Various brands of desensitizing toothpaste are available in pharmacies and medical stores.

How is the Tooth Sensitivity Treatment Done?

If the home remedies for sensitive teeth are not working, you have many options for tooth sensitivity treatment. Check some of the leading ones here:

  1. Mouth Guard

    If the cause of your sensitive teeth is grinding and clenching of your teeth, using a mouth guard is the best treatment option for you. It prevents the damage which grinding and clenching do to your teeth enamel.

  2. Dental Sealants

    Putting dental sealants means applying a resin coating on your teeth. It protects your teeth from directly coming in contact with the food that causes discomfort. Dental sealant treatment also prevents tooth decay.

  3. Surgical Gum Graft

    Sometimes eroded gum tissues are the reason for sensitive teeth pain. In that case, a surgical gum graft will reduce the sensitivity from the roots of your teeth.

  4. Fixing the Dental Issue

    You can fix the dental issue causing tooth sensitivity through dental procedures like bonding, inlays, and crowns. Your dentist will be the right person to guide you to a suitable fix.

  5. Root Canal

    If the treatments mentioned above didn’t work, it means your dental issue is much deep-rooted. In that case, the root canal treatment is usually the last resort for tooth sensitivity treatment.

Wrapping up!

You don’t need to live with the pain and discomfort of sensitive teeth. If home remedies for sensitive teeth aren’t working, that means there can be a serious underlying cause. Your dentist can diagnose and treat whatever is the reason for your sensitive tooth.

So visit your trusted dentist or a dentist near you today and get rid of all painful symptoms of tooth sensitivity. A bright and pain-free smile is waiting for you on the other side!

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