Why Are My Teeth So Sensitive?
Saturday, March 1st, 2014Ever have a bit of tooth sensitivity when you drink something cold?
No need to start worrying just yet: your teeth may be temperature-sensitive without there being any problems…but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to make choices that can lessen that tooth sensitivity! After all, sensitivity is a signal that the tissue below your tooth’s enamel has been exposed.
One of the biggest issues relating to tooth sensitivity is caused by teeth whitening products. Although they have become less harsh over the years, they do cause periods of sensitivity for many of us.
Generally speaking, 10 percent for peroxide levels is a low peroxide level. Once you pass that percentage in your teeth whitening products, you are looking at greatly increasing the chances of having teeth sensitivity!
Are you experiencing frequent teeth sensitivity?
A quick and easy way to see if you need to come in and tell us about your tooth sensitivity is to try and cut back on your whitening toothpaste, which many of us use today. By using these kinds of toothpastes only every other day, you will give your teeth a bit of a break. (And if that doesn’t do the trick, yes, come in and see us.)
Here’s a quick checklist of don’ts when it comes to any tooth sensitivity:
- Don’t ignore the advice of your dentist when it comes to using whitening products in general;
- Don’t continue use of teeth whitening products when you are in pain!
- Don’t brush too hard, which can actually wear away at your enamel over time;
- Don’t use a hard-bristle brush if your teeth are already sensitive!
- Don’t over-do it with the cold and hot drinks, or even pop, especially if you already have any degree of sensitivity!
And, speaking of beverages, if you find that you often drink pop, fruit juice such as orange juice, or red wine, recognize that this could be contributing to any sensitivity you have.
Be sure to brush your teeth about 20 minutes after drinking anything on this acidic beverage list, but also know that if you brush your teeth any earlier you can actually do more damage to your enamel.
If following some of these guidelines doesn’t make your sensitivity go away, definitely let us know! Sensodyne toothpaste, an over-the-counter brand, is great for sensitivity. We also offer prescription toothpaste that has a stronger fluoride in it that alleviates pain in more extreme cases of sensitivity.
But remember: we aren’t giving out specific recommendations here on the blog—come in and see us to find out your best next steps! You might have major gum recession, you could be grinding your teeth, or cavities could be a factor in your discomfort. Since dentin can become exposed due to a variety of reasons, we want to get to the root of the cause. (Pun intended!)