{"id":253,"date":"2017-09-18T11:58:51","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T15:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.toledodentistry.com\/blog\/?p=253"},"modified":"2024-08-23T15:34:49","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T19:34:49","slug":"sensitive-teeth-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toledodentistry.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/18\/sensitive-teeth-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"Sensitive Teeth Pain: Why It Happens & How You Can Prevent It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you experience sudden pains in your mouth when you eat or drink? Sensitive teeth are one of the most common complaints in dentistry \u2013 and it affects all ages. That sensitive teeth pain you\u2019re suffering from can be extreme. In some cases, it can even stop you from enjoying foods you love. But before you can start fighting sensitive teeth pain, you need to understand why it\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Causing My Sensitive Teeth Pain?<\/h2>\n

While any damage to your teeth or gums can cause sensitivity, chronic sensitive teeth pain is typically caused by damage to your enamel. Enamel is a protective layer on the surface of your teeth that protects the crown and the dentin underneath. Over time, your enamel wears away the tubules in your dentin. When this happens, certain foods, drinks or even air will be able to reach nerves in your teeth and trigger pain.<\/p>\n

There are many causes of enamel wear, both on the biting surfaces, and along the gumline. Here are some of the most common:<\/p>\n

Excessive Brushing with a Hard Toothbrush \u2013<\/strong> It may sound strange, but brushing with a hard toothbrush and\/or with an abrasive toothpaste can be bad for your teeth! Stick to the recommended two minutes of brushing with a soft toothbrush, applying a moderate amount of pressure whether using a manual or an electric or sonic brush.<\/p>\n

Eating Acidic Foods \u2013<\/strong> Acidic foods and drinks are bad for your teeth. If you sip soda, eat a lot of citrus fruit or enjoy other acidic foods and drink, you\u2019re slowly wearing away your enamel. Try to finish acidic foods or drinks quickly, and drink water afterwards to help rinse your mouth.<\/p>\n

Poor Dental Care \u2013<\/strong> The purpose of brushing and flossing is to clean away bacteria and plaque to prevent decay. Bacteria on your teeth consume sugars and leave behind an acidic waste<\/a>. If you don\u2019t regularly brush or floss, this acid constantly wears away at your teeth and enamel. Make sure you brush and floss every day!<\/p>\n

Grinding Teeth \u2013<\/strong> Tooth enamel is exceptionally strong, but grinding your teeth will still wear it away<\/a>. Tooth wear will eventually lead to exposure of the inner tooth, both at the biting surface and at the gumline which is 700% softer than enamel. Then, more rapid tooth destruction and acid erosion will occur.<\/p>\n

Receding Gums \u2013 <\/strong>Gum recession can be avoidable. But gum disease, tooth grinding, and other causes can speed the rate at which it happens. As your gums recede, they can expose dentin and cause sensitivity.<\/p>\n

What Are Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth?<\/h2>\n

It can be difficult to tell if your dental pain is coming from sensitive teeth or something else. The degree of pain from sensitive teeth can range dramatically. An effective way to identify if your pain is due to sensitive teeth, ask yourself if you experience sharp pains from:<\/p>\n