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Sensitive Teeth
If you occasionally experience a sudden flash of pain, or a mild tingly feeling when you bite into sweet or sour foods, or drink hot or cold beverages, you may have sensitive teeth.
Pain from sensitive teeth is not always constant; it can come and go. Constant pain could be a sign of a more serious problem. It is still important, however, to discuss your symptoms with your dentist to determine the cause and proper treatment.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
In healthy teeth, porous tissue called dentin is protected by your gums and your teeth’s hard enamel shell. When this protection is lost, microscopic holes in the dentin allow, heat, cold and other irritants to be transmitted back to the tooth nerve triggering pain. Dentin can be exposed by receding gums caused by improper brushing or gum disease, fractured or chipped teeth or by clenching or grinding your teeth. Depending on the diagnosis, a soft bristled toothbrush or a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth that can either block access to the nerve or make the nerve itself less sensitive may be recommended. A fluoride rinse or gel may also be recommended to ease the pain of sensitive teeth.
