Are sensitive teeth ruining your enjoyment of hot drinks and icy treats? While it might seem like a minor annoyance, this discomfort rarely disappears on its own and often points to a deeper dental issue.
If you’re dealing with persistent tooth sensitivity, the team at Moskin Dental Associates can help you find relief. Kimberly Chan, DDS, and Jeannie Moskin, DDS, provide effective treatments and guidance to ease pain while protecting your long-term oral health.
Daily habits and physical changes both play a role in how your teeth react to temperature and other sensations. In this month’s post, we walk you through the common causes of sensitivity and how to address the source of the problem.
One in every eight Americans lives with tooth sensitivity, which typically results from the loss of enamel — the hard, protective outer layer of your teeth. When enamel wears away, it exposes the underlying dentin layer, which contains microscopic channels that lead directly to the nerve-filled tooth pulp.
Exposed dentin allows external triggers — like extreme temperatures and acids from sweet or sour foods and drinks — to stimulate the nerves, resulting in a sharp jolt of pain. A variety of factors can compromise your enamel and lead to sensitivity, including:
Tooth decay eats through enamel to form cavities, or dental caries — holes in teeth through which bacteria, irritants, and temperature changes can reach the inner layers. Small fractures or cracks may also expose the dentin layer and cause sensitivity.
You might think that the harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth, but this isn’t the case. Over time, harsh scrubbing or using a toothbrush with hard bristles can wear down enamel and cause gum tissue to recede, revealing unprotected areas of your teeth.
When gum tissue swells or pulls away from teeth due to periodontal disease, age, or abrasion, it leaves the tooth roots exposed. Because the roots lack a protective enamel coating, they’re sensitive to even minor changes in temperature and pressure.
Foods and beverages like soda, coffee, and citrus contain high levels of acid that can damage teeth. Frequent exposure softens enamel, making it more vulnerable to wear.
The constant friction caused by clenching or grinding can lead to sensitivity across several teeth. In many cases, patients aren’t even aware they grind their teeth at night until a dentist notices this type of damage.
It’s common to experience temporary sensitivity after procedures such as fillings, root canals, or whitening treatments. While it should subside quickly, contact our team if the discomfort persists or worsens.
Some people are born with naturally thinner enamel or more porous tooth structures, making them prone to sensitivity even with otherwise perfect oral health.
Once we determine the underlying cause of your sensitivity, our team may recommend one or more of these treatment options:
If a crack or cavity is the culprit, we can restore the tooth with a filling, root canal, or dental crown.
Achieving long-term comfort also depends on how you care for your teeth between visits. To prevent further wear, be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently, as though you’re lightly massaging your teeth and gums.
Switching to a desensitizing toothpaste may be helpful — these products contain compounds like potassium nitrate, which work to calm the nerves inside your teeth. If you enjoy acidic foods and drinks, rinsing with water immediately after helps neutralize the acid, but wait at least 30 minutes to brush so you don’t damage the softened enamel.
Regular checkups and cleanings give our team the chance to spot early signs of decay, erosion, and tiny cracks before they turn into a painful ordeal. Call or click to schedule an appointment at Moskin Dental Associates in Lincoln Square in Chicago, Illinois, and let us help you eat and drink comfortably again.
