Wondering what to do about sensitive teeth?
If you’re feeling any sensitivity in your teeth, it’s usually due to a layer of your tooth under the enamel (the dentin) or the layer of the tooth that covers the root (the cementum) becoming exposed. When this happens, your tooth will be especially sensitive when consuming foods that are very hot or very cold as well as sweets and spicy foods.
More often than not, tooth sensitivity is a symptom of a greater dental issue, so you should schedule an appointment with your dentist in Vancouver WA as soon as possible to have the situation evaluated.
So what causes tooth sensitivity?
- Aggressive Brushing: Even if you have a very thorough oral hygiene routine, you could be doing more harm than good by brushing your teeth with too much force. Also, if you don’t switch your toothbrush regularly, a worn brush with hard bristles can be damaging to your gums. The aggressive brushing will wear down your enamel over time and may cause your dentin or cementum to become exposed.
- Gum Disease: Has your dentist alerted you that you have a developing case of gum disease? If so, it’s especially important that you visit your dentist for regular cleanings and practice good oral hygiene to help reverse this disease. Gum disease has been known to cause tooth sensitivity as well as many other issues.
- Grinding of Teeth: Many people do not realize that they grind their teeth when sleeping. Doing this will wear down your enamel, causing your dentin to become exposed and sensitivity to kick in.
For more questions about tooth sensitivity and how you can fix it, please contact Padden Dental, your dentist in Vancouver WA, for answers.
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