Why Do I Get Teeth Sensitivity?
Why do I get teeth sensitivity?
If you have felt some ‘zings’ or mild pain sensations while eating or drinking – you might be feeling symptoms of tooth sensitivity. This is a prevalent symptom and has many potential causes. It could be something temporary and mild or an early sign of a bigger issue that should be addressed.
Here are some tips and guidance to understand why you might have tooth sensitivity and indications you might want to make an appointment with your Winter Park dentist to address them.
What are the common causes of tooth sensitivity?
Thinning enamel – over time, wear to our teeth reduces the amount of enamel and tooth structure covering your tooth’s roots. Whether the wear is natural from age or accelerated due to cavities, the nerves of your tooth are more exposed to things like temperature changes (cold and hot) and pressure (like biting on something hard). If you haven’t been to a dentist recently, it might be a good idea to get a checkup to assess if any areas require some repair or just proactive care to prevent further reduction of tooth enamel.
Receding gums – when the gums begin to shrink away from the teeth and expose more of the tooth’s roots, new areas of your teeth (especially the roots) become exposed to temperature changes that weren’t present. While you may become accustomed to this with time, even small changes like breathing in cold air could trigger a sensation when the gums no longer cover the same tooth area. The common causes of receding gums are either untreated, periodontal disease, or brushing too forcefully or with a brush that is too stiff. If sensitivity toothpaste isn’t able to help you manage the sensitivity, you may want to visit your local dentist or periodontist for an opinion on a receding gumline.
Active cavities – similar to the reasons for sensitivity due to reduced enamel, having an untreated active cavity can expose the inside of a tooth to cold, hot, and even acidic or sugary substances (like soda), which can cause sensitivity and pain upon touching the area.
Recent dental work – if you are feeling tooth sensitivity in a particular area and have recently had dental work performed, it is pretty standard to have some mild sensitivity during recovery. Unfortunately, it may take several weeks for the sensitivity to go away. However, it should gradually improve and be less bothersome. If it continues or worsens, you should contact your local dentist for an evaluation in case another issue impacts the area. Particularly for fillings, crowns, or root canals – the procedure involves removing tooth structure that was unhealthy or unsupported for your restoration. This removal does impart some trauma to the tooth, and it may take some time for your sensitivity to subside as the tooth has been under stress.
Cracked or fractured tooth – typically, substantial damage to a tooth will manifest as sharp pain and aches. However, if you have a minor fracture or the beginning of a hairline fracture, you may only feel sensitivity as the temperature changes or liquids affect the tooth. If you suspect a tooth has suffered a fracture, please contact your local dentist to diagnose if the symptoms indicate a more significant issue.
Teeth whitening – if you have recently applied teeth whitening or had a service performed, a common side effect is tooth sensitivity following the treatment. This sensation will be temporary and is not harmful. However, in case your symptoms are unmanageable, we recommend taking over-the-counter medication like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or a dual-action pain reliever if you are medically able to do so. Consult your dental professional if you still feel sensitive after 24-48 hours.
How can I treat tooth sensitivity?
The most common treatment for tooth sensitivity is to switch to a sensitivity treatment toothpaste like Sensodyne. The active ingredient for anti-sensitivity toothpaste is potassium nitrate, and any brand that includes this ingredient should help decrease sensitivity. Unfortunately, it takes some time and repeated application to begin feeling relief. However, rapid-relief formulations may help with more severe cases of sensitivity.
One important tip when using sensitive toothpaste is to allow time for the ingredients to work. Particularly not rinsing after brushing toothpaste and letting active ingredients remain on your gums. For many, rinsing your mouth with water after brushing feels automatic. Especially if it's a habit you started early in life when learning to maintain good dental hygiene. However, if you want the most benefit from your toothpaste, consider simply spitting and not rinsing (especially for those looking for anticavity, teeth whitening, or sensitivity treatment benefits).
All additional ingredients in toothpaste are more effective if given more time in contact with your teeth and gums. Therefore, to get the most out of your toothpaste, dentists recommend spitting out your toothpaste after brushing but not rinsing immediately after. This will maximize the time those ingredients like fluoride, sensitivity treatment, or teeth whitening have to act in your mouth.
Suppose managing your sensitivity with toothpaste is not giving you the results needed. You should book an appointment with your Winter Park dentist to address the source of your sensitivity. In some cases, special “sensitivity trays” can also be provided for temporary relief. However, these are typically used for whitening treatments. If your cause for sensitivity is more severe, our dentist will provide a diagnosis but may also refer you to a specialist only if needed.