What causes teeth sensitivity?

The sensitivity of the teeth, also known as dentin hypersensitivity, causes dental pain in response to heat, cold, air flow or light. This is a common problem, affecting approximately 10 to 30% of the population.

Many dental conditions can cause teeth sensitivity, so it is important to request dental care if you feel this type of pain in your teeth.

The crown of the tooth – the part above the gum – has a hard exterior shell or an enamel. The root under the gums also has a coating, called cement. Below these layers is a less dense perforated material with microscopic tunnels called microtubules.

When there are damage to enamel or cement, or to erosion of severe gums, external triggers cross the microtubules to reach the nerves of the pulp (inner layer of the tooth) and the dental root. As a result, you may feel pain in response to generally indoluse habits, such as drinking coffee.

Anything that damages the enamel or the cement can cause a sensitivity of the teeth. Current causes include:

• Dental caries: With dental caries, holes or damage areas are formed on the enamel. This can expose dentin (the tooth layer under enamel), leading to the sensitivity and pain pain.
• Erosion of enamel: Over time, acids in food and drinks can decompose and wear teeth, causing symptoms.
• Abfraction of enamel: The abfraction of the enamel is damage due to physical or mechanical strength. It can cause visible grooves in the teeth.
• Gum recession: Aging, genetics and advanced gum disease causes the gum tissue back to the roots of the dentin and teeth, leading to the sensitivity of the teeth.
• Worn restorations: Dental fittings, crowns and restorations can also be damaged or worn over time, exposing dentin and increasing the risk of dental disintegration.
• Dental fracture: Fractures (breaks), cracks or shavings in dental enamel can also expose dentin, allowing heat, cold or other triggers to reach dentin.
• Recent dental treatments: Nerfs at the root of the teeth can become ignited after dental garnishes, crowns or restorations. This should be resolved within 4 to 6 weeks.
• Incorrect brushing: An inappropriate brushing of teeth can cause a recession of the gums, leading to sensitivity. Brushing too strong, using an angle at 90 degrees (rather than an angle of 45 degrees), or having too large or small toothbrush brush all contribute to this problem.
• Oral hygiene products: Some mouthwashes contain ingredients that increase acidity, leading to the erosion of enamel. Homeland whitening kits and toothpaste containing harmful ingredients also cause teeth sensitivity.
• Acid food: Citrus fruits, tomatoes, sodas and other foods and drinks raise acidity in the mouth, which can cause teeth.

Many factors can contribute to the sensitivity of the teeth and increase your risk of developing this problem. These include dental conditions as well as oral and hygiene health practices.

Cavities

The cavities are areas where the enamel decomposes due to dental cavities, causing cracks (cracks) and possibly holes in the tooth. Often painless in the early stages, more serious cavities cause teeth sensitivity when they expose dentin.

Periodontitis

As a slight gum disease, known as gingivitis, is progressing towards the advanced gum disease, known as the name periodontitisThe gums escape and move away from the teeth. This loosens the ligaments that support teeth, which can expose the roots of dentin and teeth.

Bruteism

Bruxism occurs when grinding or tighten your teeth too much. Repeated constraint and tension on the enamel can cause the enamel or wear of the enamel. This increases the risk of teeth sensitivity.

Age

As you get older, your enamel changes the structure and stops more, which increases the risk of dental caries, enamel erosion and other problems. Your gums can also go back with age, which makes the teeth appear longer and expose the roots, leading to the sensitivity of the teeth.

Tartar plate and accumulation

If you do not brush and do not make thread per day, the plate – a film sticking of bacteria – forms on your teeth. Over time, it turns into a tartar, a hardened deposit and similar to the crust along the gum line or on the back of the teeth. The plate and the tartare cause gum disease and increase the risk of dental cavities.

Dry mouth

The saliva protects the teeth from the accumulation of plate and neutralizes the acidity of the mouth. Xerostomy (Dry mouth), or a lack of saliva, increases the risk of dental cavities, gum disease and other factors for the sensitivity of teeth.

The dry mouth is a side effect of numerous drugs and radiotherapy. It is also a symptom of Sjögren syndrome, an autoimmune disease affecting the salivary glands.

Smoking

In addition to other negative effects on health, smoking or chewing tobacco increases your risk of dental cavities, loss of teeth, gum disease and other dental problems that cause teeth sensitivity. Smoking also stains teeth and causes a dry mouth, leading to the plate and tartare accumulation.

Organ

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes constant stomach burns while gastric acid flows the esophagus. If acid reaches the throat and mouth, it can cause dental erosion, which increases the risk of teeth sensitivity.

In general, you should see a dentist if you have a sensitivity of the teeth that does not disappear. Having pain when they breathe, eat spicy or sweet foods, drink hot or cold drinks, or brush or silk thread are all signs to call your dentist.

When you have dental pain, dentists work to identify the underlying cause of this symptom. They also exclude other potential causes of pain, such as teeth infection. This generally involves several steps:

• Medical state and history: Your dentist will ask you questions about your current health conditions and past dental procedures. This helps them identify medical factors that may cause symptoms, such as drugs or diseases that increase risks, such as diabetes.
• Clinical examination: The dentist will examine your teeth using specialized probes and other tools, looking for signs of cavities or damage. They can use air explosions or a cold stimulus (cold water, ice) to see how you react.
• Gum exam: Dentists use a tiny sovereign called a probe to see how deep the “pockets” are between teeth and gums; Larger pockets and fiery gums are signs of gum disease.
• X -ray: Dental X -rays help dentists to assess the thickness of the enamel and the scope of damage caused by cavities, fractures or other dental problems.

Since teeth sensitivity can be a sign of a problem that worsens without treatment, such as gum disease or dental caries, it is essential to request care. Earlier your dentist diagnoses the problem, the sooner they can deal with it, prevent complications and improve results.

The approaches to managing the teeth depend on the underlying cause. Current treatments include both homemade remedies and office procedures.

Home remedies

Your dentist can recommend some over -the -counter advice and products (OTC) that you can try to reduce sensitivity, such as:

• Desensitizing toothpaste: Dooth loved ones like sensorie contain ingredients that block nerve activity in teeth, as well as fluoride, which strengthens them. Over time, the use of these toothpaste helps reduce symptoms.
• Rinse of fluoride mouth: Bouche rinse which contains fluorine and desensitizing agents can help strengthen the enamel of the teeth and reduce the sensitivity of the teeth.
• Rinse of salt water: Gargarization with a solution of salt and lukewarm water softens swelling and inflammation in the gums, helping pain.

Dental procedures

In addition to home care, you may need a treatment in progress to approach all the underlying causes of your tooth sensitivity:

• Fluor treatment: At the office, dentists apply fluorine gel, veneer (front teeth covers) or other adhesives to strengthen the enamel.
• Dentine scellon: If you have an exposed dentin, dentists apply specialized materials, often made of resin, to seal microtubules.
• Radicular canal: In serious cases, the dentist eliminates the nerve to the root of the tooth, which stops any feeling of pain.
• Gum surgery: For a serious recession of the gums or an exposed dental root, the surgeons collect tissues from another part of the mouth and graft it in the affected areas.

The best way to prevent teeth sensitivity is to practice good oral hygiene and dental health practices. The steps to take include:

• Brush twice a day: Brush at least twice a day, using an appropriate technique. By holding your brush at an angle of 45 degrees, make soft circular movements on your teeth, obtaining each tooth. Too much or too heavy brushing can cause teeth sensitivity, so tell your dentist best practices. You can also choose a toothbrush for sensitive teeth, such as the one with soft hairs or an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor.
• Floss every day: Since dental silk is the only way to eliminate food and the plate between teeth, you need dental silk at least once a day.
• Get regular dental controls: Dental exams and cleanings allow dentists to identify the potential causes of dental pain and eliminate tartar. Take aims to take routine exams every six months.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking water helps prevent dry mouth, restore acidic balance and help saliva to remove food debris and bacteria.
• Avoid smoking: Avoid smoking reduces your risk of gum disease, dental caries, dry mouth and other contributors to the sensitivity of teeth.
• Limit sugary and acidic drinks: Sodas, juices (especially citrus fruits), tea, coffee and sugary drinks can increase acidity in the mouth and promote the formation of plate and tartare.
• Make the necessary food changes: Reducing your consumption of acidic foods, such as oranges or citrus, can help prevent erosion of enamel and teeth sensitivity.

The sensitivity of the teeth refers to a firing pain that occurs when the teeth are exposed to external stimuli such as hot or cold temperatures, air flow or touch. This happens when the roots of dentin or teeth are exposed.

Erosion of teeth, damage and mechanical wear can all cause teeth sensitivity. Because this can be a sign of underlying dental conditions, call your dentist if you have a sensitivity of the teeth that does not disappear.