Everything you ever needed to know about tooth sensitivity

Do you shudder at the thought of crunching an ice cube? Do you avoid eating soup because it hurts your teeth? While pain caused by hot or cold foods could be a symptom of a cavity, it’s more likely that you’re one of many people who suffer from sensitive teeth.

Having tooth sensitivity, also known as “dentin hypersensitivity,” means you experience pain or discomfort in the teeth as they react to certain triggers, such as hot or cold foods and drinks.

Tooth sensitivity is different for everyone. For some, it can be temporary, but for others, it becomes a chronic problem. It can affect one tooth, a few teeth, or every one of a person’s teeth. While there are a few reasons people develop sensitive teeth, most of the time the problem can be treated quite easily by changing your oral hygiene routine.

What causes sensitive teeth?

Every person is built differently, and some of us are born with thicker enamel on our teeth than others. Tooth enamel is the outer layer of the tooth that protects the nerves of the teeth from exposure to extreme temperatures. People with thicker enamel typically feel more sensitivity in their teeth than those with thinner enamel. The thickness of your tooth enamel can change over time. Tooth enamel can be worn down from:

What can I do about sensitive teeth?

Over-the-counter dental treatments like toothpaste that’s specifically made for sensitive teeth are enough to treat many cases of sensitive teeth. It’s also important to brush using a toothbrush with soft bristles and be sure to brush gently.

These remedies won’t work overnight, but if you stick to them, you should notice a difference in about a week.

If home treatments don’t work, call the team at Dental Works on Cornwall. Our team will assess your condition and work with you to develop a treatment plan unique to your situation.