Tooth sensitivity can vary from mild to severe issues. Mild discomfort and irritation occurs when you eat sour or sweet foods, hot drinks or cold drinks, or some beverages. Severe issues could be being in constant pain regardless of what you eat or drink or even when you speak or breathe through your mouth.
A layer of hard enamel protects the crown of the teeth. It is the hard outer covering which gives the teeth to withstand constant demanding use while chewing, biting, eating, grinding. Underneath the hard enamel is a porous dentin which contains tiny tubules and there lies a nerve coming from tooth pulp. So when the dentin loses its covering and it is exposed it causes hypersensitivity, pain and discomfort when we eat or drink hot and cold drinks. Even brushing teeth can be so painful. It is this enamel which prolongs the life and usefulness of the teeth despite many years of use.
What causes Tooth Sensitivity?
1) Enamel Erosion:- Everyone's tooth enamel can start to wear away as we grow older. But it can also wear off due to other factors which is exposing the enamel to highly acidic foods. The enamel gets exposed to acids or mechanical forces which results in thinning of the enamel and exposing the next sensitive layer called dentin.
2) Dental Filling :- Small cracks or fillings can cause teeth sensitivity. A tooth that has just been treated for filling will be more sensitive to hot food and cold drinks, while biting or air temperature. This type of sensitivity or tooth ache may stay for few days.
3) Over enthusiastic teeth brushing:- Hard brushing can be a problem. It can scrape away tooth structure and damage gum tissue which can result in gum recession and root exposure over time.
4) Tooth Decay:- Plaque buildup on your teeth suggests that there is too much bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria can damage the tooth enamel and thus the nerve in the centre of the tooth gets exposed.
5) Grinding your teeth:- Do you grind your teeth during sleep? Grinding teeth or clenching so much can cause damage to the tooth outer layer (enamel) and thus expose the inner layer dentin leading to tooth sensitivity.Unlike cavities or acidic foods that coat the teeth and seep into the tooth eating away at the enamel, jaw clenching and tooth grinding weaken and chip away the tooth enamel through excessive pressure and force.
6) Gum disease:- Gum disease can also cause tooth sensitivity. Gum disease can cause damage to tooth supporting tissues and exposes the teeth roots.
Tooth enamel can be strengthened through good oral hygiene. The only exception is when one's tooth sensitivity is the result of having weak enamel from heredity. A good oral hygiene is brushing (not hard) and flossing to remove germs and bacteria in between teeth or on the surface. If these germs are not cleaned systematically then they can attach to the teeth and cause plaque. This plaque as a result eats away the tooth enamel and infiltrates the inner layer of the tooth where nerves and blood vessels reside. Thus if this is attacked, damage and tooth sensitivity is bound to happen.
How to treat sensitivity at home:-
1) Tooth mousse:- Tooth mousse comes in different flavours and is easily available these days. Take pea sized amount and rub it on the affected tooth or teeth wherever there is sensitivity and leave it overnight. It can also be applied twice a day.
2) Mix 1tspn mustard oil and rock salt together. Massage this on your teeth and gums and leave it for a few minutes. Rinse it well with water.
3) Desensitizing toothpaste:- You may also leave pea sized amount on the affected areas overnight. Or use dentist prescribed desensitizing pastes which will be best suited for you. Do not rinse with water after applying the paste, you can spit and just let the toothpaste sit on your teeth. Otherwise you won’t get the full benefit of the sensitive toothpaste.
4) If you are using whitening toothpaste you may want to discontinue and use sensitivity toothpaste.
5) Always follow good oral hygiene which will make it less likely susceptible to breaking, chipping, cracking, scratching or damage from tooth decay.
6) Gum graft surgically:- If the tooth has lost some gum tissue or gum is pulled, a small amount of gum tissue can be taken from some area of the mouth and grafted to the affected site. This procedure not only protects the roots but reduces sensitivity of the area.
Tooth sensitivity is not something to be ignored, especially if it causes one great pain and if it is a long-lasting, constant issue as they can be indicators of an infection or another dental health condition. If you're concerned with your sensitive teeth, contact your dentist so that it can be treated as per your severity.
Sensitivity is not an uncommon phenomenon but that does not mean every case of sensitivity will be same. It may due to more complex problem or oral trauma which should be examined by a dental professional.
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