Possible Causes of Sensitive Teeth

Derby Dentist, Darren Bywater, explains some of the main reasons why we may have sensitive teeth.

If you have winced when taking a bite out of something cold such as an ice cream, or perhaps when you brush or floss your teeth, you are likely to be one of the many people who suffer from sensitive teeth.

This sensitivity may develop so gradually that you barely notice it creeping up on you and for many it becomes a daily burden which they carry with them throughout life. There are many factors that can cause tooth sensitivity though and if you do have sensitive teeth, it is well worth taking a look at some of the possible causes to see if you can eliminate those factors from your daily routine.

Brushing – Many people feel the need to almost ‘scrub’ their teeth, often with too hard a toothbrush. Whilst it is good to brush your teeth well, overdoing it can wear down the enamel of your teeth and expose the inner tooth which leads to the nerves. You can still brush effectively by swapping to a toothbrush with softer bristles and perhaps reduce the amount of force that you apply too.

Acidic Foods – Although healthy, many foods such as citric fruits are high in acids and this will gradually eat away at the enamel of the teeth. Whilst they should not be avoided, it is wise to restrain from eating acidic foods in excess.

Bruxism – Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is something that most people do involuntarily, often in their sleep. This has the effect of wearing down the teeth and making them much more susceptible to pain and sensitivity. There are too many causes of bruxism to go into in detail about here, but in many cases your dentist may be able to offer a solution. It is certainly wise to try to correct this as not only can it wear down teeth but in severe cases, can even break them, leaving the sufferer needing a replacement tooth such as a dental implant.

Tooth Whitening – Any form of tooth whitening, whether it be a toothpaste of a professional tooth whitening procedure may lead to extra sensitivity of the teeth. This does not happen in all cases though and usually returns to normal soon afterwards.

Gum Disease – Whilst this largely attacks the gums, it also means that the nerves surrounding the teeth are much more sensitive. This will inevitably make it more painful when acidic foods and the like are consumed.

Post Dental Procedures –  If you have had a dental implant placed at our Derby dental implant centre, or have had any other invasive procedure performed, you are likely to notice extra sensitivity for a while following the procedure. This will be temporary however and taking over the counter painkillers should be sufficient to offer relief until such time as it wears off.

Cracked Teeth and Decay – Cracked teeth, or teeth with minor decay, are not always easy to spot but can cause discomfort for the patient. This is just one of the reasons why it is important to attend a dental practice regularly in order that these problems can be detected and eliminated before they become a more serious issue.

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