It’s the perfect time of year for a pumpkin spice latte — but just as you sip on this seasonal hot beverage, you feel a stabbing pain in your tooth. In the summer, you get a dull ache in your tooth when you eat ice cream.
The bad news is that you suffer from sensitive teeth. The good news is you’re not alone, and it’s a treatable condition! The Academy of General Dentistry reports that more than 40 million adults have tooth sensitivity in the United States. And another study found that 1 in 8 dental patients experience sensitive teeth.
Tooth sensitivity, or dentin hypersensitivity, can happen to anyone — though it’s most common in people ages 20 to 40, and women are more likely to have sensitive teeth than men.
Make sure to make an appointment with Lubbock-based Hancock and Johnston Dentistry so we can treat your sensitive teeth and you can enjoy a warm cup of cheer this holiday season!
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Sensitive teeth can happen for various reasons, but most typically when tooth enamel is worn down or tooth roots have been exposed.
A layer of dentin lies under the enamel. Dentin is less dense and more porous than enamel. Hot, cold, acidic or sticky foods stimulate the dentin, causing the sharp pain when you suck in a breath of icy cold air on a cold winter’s day.
Here are some of the most common reasons dentin becomes exposed:
- Naturally shrinking gums: If you’re over 40, your gums may start pulling away from your teeth, revealing your roots. Tell your dentist if your gums look like they’re receding.
- Gum disease: Plaque and tartar buildup can also make your gums pull back and leave your teeth exposed to the elements.
- A cracked tooth or filling: A crack in your tooth can go all the way down to the root and cause sensitivity.
- Brushing too hard
- Cavities
- Using tooth whitening or bleaching products
- Teeth grinding
- A temporomandibular disorder (TMD) of the jaw muscles
| Things that trigger tooth sensitivity |
|
Source: Healthline.com
Sensitive Teeth Treatments from a Lubbock Dentist
Depending on what’s causing your tooth sensitivity, Hancock & Johnston Dentistry may recommend one of the following procedures to treat your condition.
| Treatment | What It Does |
| Bonding, crowns, inlays | Directly fixes the tooth flaw causing sensitivity |
| Surgical gum graft | Protects the root and reduces sensitivity |
| Desensitizing toothpaste/mouthwash | Blocks the pain of sensitive teeth |
| Mouthguard | Limits tooth stress if you grind or clench your teeth |
| Fluoride | Strengthens tooth enamel and eases pain |
| Dental adhesives/sealants | Forms protective layer over the root |
| Root canal | Last-resort treatment if nothing else has helped |
Sources: Livescience.com, Mayo Clinic, Mouthhealthy.org, Hopkins Medicine
If your dentist suggests trying desensitizing toothpaste, and keep in mind it may take several treatments before you feel an improvement in your tooth sensitivity.
Protect Sensitive Teeth at Home
Of course, there are ways to protect your enamel from further damage when you’re at home. Here are a few tips to keep the rest of your teeth strong.
- Don’t brush too hard. Do you brush side-to-side at the gum line with a heavy hand? This can make your enamel go away faster. Work at a 45-degree angle to your gum instead. An electric toothbrush is a great addition to your home care and will ensure you don’t brush too hard.
- Avoid acidic foods and drinks. Cut out soda, sticky candy, high-sugar carbs and instead choose fiber-rich and calcium-rich fruits and veggies, cheese, milk and yogurt to moisten your mouth and fight bacteria that gnaw at your teeth.
- Don’t bleach your teeth.
- Avoid chewing ice.
If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity for the first time, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with our friendly team at Hancock & Johnston Dentistry. We will check for potential problems like cavities, loose fillings, or recessed gums that could be causing the sensitivity. Once we locate the issue, we’ll make a personalized plan and send you on your way pain-free!
