Sensitive teeth can be more than simply a nuisance. They can disrupt your enjoyment of normal foods and drinks. Not all sensitive teeth are an indication of dental disease, but it is important to see your dentist in order to rule that out.
If your dentist confirms that your teeth and gums are healthy, and your sensitivity persists, you can discuss options to alleviate the sensitive teeth. Understanding the cause of your sensitivity will help you know how to fight it most effectively.
The sensation of pain or discomfort when you expose your teeth to hot or cold temperatures or sugary treats is not normal. The enamel covering the teeth should insulate the nerve within from these stimuli. Therefore, sensitive teeth can result from a problem with enamel, a lack of enamel, or a problem with the nerve inside the tooth.
Enamel can crack or erode away, impairing its insulation of the nerve. These defects allow the temperature sensations to reach the nerve when they ordinarily would not. The most common cause of sensitivity is exposure of the roots of the teeth, which do not have enamel. Roots naturally lack an enamel covering because they should have jawbone and gum tissues covering them. When they do not, they allow a variety of sensations to reach the nerve inside the tooth. The nerve itself can also be hypersensitive or over-reactive to normal stimuli.
You can find more information about sensitive teeth and how to relieve them in our blog!
