At some point in your life, you’ll probably be eating some ice cream, drinking hot coffee, or breathe in a whisp of cool air and experience a stinging, painful sensation. Pain from tooth sensitivity is no fun and if you really enjoy eating hot or cold foods, which pretty much includes every person on Earth, it can have a serious effect your quality of life.
This week we’re going to tell you about some of the common causes of tooth sensitivity and give some advice on how to avoid it:
Using Too Much Mouthwash. Mouthwash can be a great addition to your oral health care routine, but using too much or using a formula that’s not right for you may cause or increase tooth sensitivity. If you’re experiencing pain when you eat or drink hot or cold foods and can’t figure out why, try switching to a neutral mouthwash or asking your dentist for a brand he or she recommends.
Brushing Too Hard. Our patients in Turlock and our regular blog readers know how passionate we are about brushing teeth. All dentists are. But if you’re brushing excessively hard, or not using a toothbrush with bristles suited your teeth, two things can occur that cause tooth sensitivity. One, you could excessively wear down your tooth enamel and expose the layer of dentin, which is what ultimately causes sensitivity. Or, two, you could cause your gums to recede and expose your tooth root, which is not covered in enamel and very sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
Eating Acidic Foods. Eating foods and consuming beverages high in acid will cause your tooth enamel to break down. When this occurs, your tooth’s dentin layer is exposed, which is one of the leading causes of tooth sensitivity. Be especially careful during this time of year when you’re trying to eat a lot of foods rich in vitamin C, since many of them like oranges, lemons, and tomatoes are very acidic.
Poor Periodontal (Gum) Health. Periodontal disease can be the source of many health problems for a person, from bad breath to increasing the risk for heart disease and stroke. Your gums are the foundation of your teeth and periodontal disease wreaks havoc on them. Not only could you lose teeth because of unhealthy gums, you’ll likely experience extreme tooth sensitivity as your condition worsens, especially if you delay seeking treatment. If your gums are unhealthy, they recede and expose your tooth roots. This is one of the most important reasons to maintain a regular schedule with your dentist, so we can spot gum disease and treat it before it gets worse and causes you more pain.
Thanks for Reading!
We appreciate you taking a few minutes to educate yourself on what can cause tooth sensitivity. Stay tuned because we’re going to dedicate a few more posts to it this month. If you enjoy learning about oral health, like or share our Facebook page and come back each week for a new post.