What causes tooth sensitivity?

It is frustrating that you feel a twinge or a sharp temporary pain in teeth while having a hot or cold drink and when you bite down on foods. Before diving into the causes of tooth sensitivity, it is good to know about the tooth structure. Teeth consist of three hard tissues and the inner soft part, called pulp:

• Enamel: it is the hardest outer layer or protective layer of tooth covering the crown, the upper part of tooth.

• Cementum: a thin bony layer covering the root, if the gum has receded, it is visible in the gum line.

• Dentine: the inner layer of tooth which makes up the bulk of tooth structure.

• Pulp: the inner soft part of tooth including veins, nerves, and connective tissues. Dental pulp is responsible for transmitting senses and thermal changes.

When enamel or cementum erodes or wears away, they leave the dentine underneath exposed to temperature changes or bacterial activity in the mouth. This in turn increases the chance of teeth sensitivity through the dental pulp, which will respond to any cold or hot changes from your drinking or eating, from acids produced by plaque, beverages or fruits, and finally from pressure on your teeth. The causes for tooth sensitivity can be due to many factors like:

• Tooth decay

• Damaged and cracked tooth

• Accumulation of plaque and tartar on teeth and longtime neglect of oral hygiene practices

• Receding gums

• Aggressive brushing or using inappropriate hard-bristled toothbrushes

• High-sugar intake and high consumption of acidic beverages, fruits, and foods that cause dental erosion

• Grinding teeth or bruxism habits

• The damaged and infected dental pulp

How to stop sensitive tooth pain?

The simplest and the most effective remedy is using desensitizing toothpaste. Finding the right toothpaste for sensitive teeth is a great way to help relieve tooth sensitivity symptoms. What desensitizing toothpastes do is help block pain sensations from dental nerves.

Using a toothpaste is the most cost-effective and the most common way that you can try to alleviate your pain and discomfort. Toothpaste normally contain fluoride that help strengthen tooth enamel and fight decay. Teeth sensitivity is mostly temporary and can be eliminated with desensitizing toothpaste. As a preventive strategy, though, you’d better manage your eating and drinking while keeping an eye on your oral health to stop what triggers the painful sensation in your teeth. If sensitivity seems to be a severe and non-stop which persists for longer than you think, the symptoms may tell of an underlying dental condition. You should visit a dentist to have your teeth checked to determine whether damaged or infected pulp is the cause or you might be in need of dental restoration.