Do you feel a sudden pain in your teeth every time you eat or drink something hot or cold? Does the thought of biting into ice cream or drinking a cold glass of water make you cringe? Sensitive teeth are a reality for many people and can be caused by several things including dental erosion.
At Wimbledon Dental Care, we understand that sensitive teeth can cause problems for many people. We encourage our patients to have their teeth thoroughly checked so that we can identify and treat the problem.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common dental problems experienced by patients worldwide and occurs when the hard tooth enamel is worn down or gums have receded. Sometimes, however, tooth sensitivity can be the result of other factors, such as cavities, cracked or chipped teeth, old fillings or cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening.
Treating sensitive teeth
If you are in pain because of your sensitive teeth, visiting your dentist will help identify the underlying cause of your tooth pain. Depending on the conditions, your dentist might recommend a special toothpaste and solution, fluoride applications, desensitizing treatment or in more severe cases, a surgical gum lift and a root canal.
Once treated, to prevent sensitive teeth from recurring, they will also offer tips and advice on how to take good care of your teeth. It is essential to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. However, be careful to avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing or abrasive toothpastes that can actually harm your teeth more. If you grind your teeth, ask your dentist to provide you with mouth guard. Tooth grinding can fracture teeth and is a leading cause of sensitive teeth.
Your dentist will also suggest limiting acidic foods and drinks, such as soda drinks, oranges and other citrus fruit, wine and yogurt. Make sure you drink lot of water to balance the acid levels in your mouth. Finally, it also helps to avoid brushing your teeth directly after eating acidic foods and drinks, since acid can soften the enamel and leave your teeth more vulnerable to erosion during brushing.