How to prevent tooth sensitivity

Sensitive teeth are incredibly annoying. Your teeth ache when you eat or drink hot or cold foods, or you cringe when a gust of cold air hits your teeth. This pain sensation can have several causes.

Insensitive teeth, the dentin is exposed. A tooth consists of several tissues. Dentin is underneath the enamel (the outer hard layer). The roots of your teeth are also made of dentin. Roots are protected by the gums. If the gums recede, for example due to inflammation or brushing too hard, the root (i.e., the dentin) is exposed. When that exposed dentin comes into contact with cold or hot, sweet or acidic stimuli, it in turn irritates the nerve in your teeth, which feels extremely unpleasant.

Causes of sensitive teeth

There are various causes for developing or having sensitive teeth. As a family dentist in La Marque Texas, we have listed the causes for preventing sensitive teeth.

• Receded gums are a common cause of tooth sensitivity because they expose the root. Gums have no enamel and contain channels of fluid that, when exposed to outside stimuli, transmit those stimuli directly to the nerves in your tooth. As you get older your gums can recede, but gingivitis or its serious variant, periodontitis, can also cause receding gums;

• Acids in our food and drink attack the enamel layer, which is also known as Acid Wear. The damaged enamel causes sensitive teeth;

• Brushing too hard causes receding gums;

• Teeth grinding or clenching can cause wear along the gumline. Although enamel is the strongest material in your body, it cannot withstand the force of teeth grinding or clenching. Many people do this unconsciously in their sleep. Fortunately, a dental hygienist can usually tell when this is the case by looking at your teeth;

• Cavities (caries) damage tooth enamel and the underlying dentin, causing sensitivity.

Preventing Sensitive Teeth

To prevent sensitive teeth, good oral hygiene and brushing twice a day is necessary. Brush with fluoride-containing toothpaste and a good toothbrush, preferably electric. Don't brush too hard! If you suffer from sensitive teeth due to brushing too hard, an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor can be helpful. It can give you a warning if you're brushing too hard.

To clean the spaces between your teeth, it is important to clean them once a day with a toothpick, brush or floss. In addition, you can rinse with mouthwash and remove the bacteria on your tongue with a tongue cleaner.

Regular visits to the dental hygienist can help prevent dental problems and sensitive teeth.

Treating sensitive teeth

It is important to first identify the source of your tooth sensitivity. Our dental in La Marque can help you do this and also advise you on how to deal with tooth sensitivity. A useful tool is toothpaste for sensitive teeth. It contains added substances that seal the dentinal canals and remove nerve irritation.