Sensitive Teeth
Why are my teeth sensitive?
There are a number of causes of tooth sensitivity and it is best to have your specific issues evaluated by your dentist. There can be tooth sensitivity of varying amounts to cold, hot, sweet foods, touch and chewing. Sometimes the sensitivity can progress to more severe pain and sometimes it can resolve by itself. In either case you should make your dentist or hygienist aware of your symptoms. Tooth sensitivity can affect quality of life as even drinking a glass of room temperature water can be difficult on one particular side of your mouth or both! It is important to be aware that there are solutions to most problems causing sensitivity. Some of the causes could be:
- Cavities
- Recession of gums (exposed roots of teeth)
- Aggressive brushing of teeth (abrasion)
- Trauma/ Fractured tooth
- Cracked tooth
- Abscess/infection
- Gum disease
- Sinus infections
- Pathology
- Whitening products, abrasive toothpastes
- Grinding of teeth
What can I do to prevent the sensitivity?
If your dentist has ruled out that there are no problems with a particular tooth and it is still sensitive, he or she may recommend conservative measures to start with a toothpaste or fluoride treatment and monitoring of the tooth over time.