This article discusses the various possible causes of tooth sensitivity and the habits patients can try to avoid in order to lessen gum recession and enamel erosion.

Sensitive teeth are remarkably common. Have you ever taken a sip of hot coffee and winced at the stinging ache in a tooth or teeth? Or perhaps you’ve tried to enjoy your favorite pistachio ice-cream only to find eating it an exercise in some serious tongue acrobatics as you try to avoid the ice-cream touching a sensitive tooth.

“If you’ve noticed one or more of your teeth reacting badly – experiencing any kind of pain and discomfort – in response to foods and beverages that are either hot or cold, you probably have sensitive teeth,” say Rutherford dental implants specialists.

What Causes Teeth to Become Sensitive?

There are a great variety of factors that can cause teeth to become sensitive. But what usually happens to make them react badly to temperature extremes is the exposure of the tooth root structure.

“The roots of your teeth are usually covered by gum tissue and only the crowns are visible above the gum line,” explain Rutherford dental implants specialists. “Should the roots become exposed – and this can happen in a number of ways we shall get to momentarily – the part of the tooth that is riddled with tiny pores or tubules (the dentine) comes into direct contact with whatever’s in your mouth, be it hot coffee or cold ice-cream. Your tooth aches in response to this exposure because each of these tiny tubules is connected to a nerve ending, so it feels extremely sensitive. Exposure of the dentine can also happen via the erosion of the enamel covering your tooth crown.”

What causes this to happen?

“Gum recession or erosion of the dental enamel,” explains an All On Four implants specialist. “The more porous and sensitive tooth root can become exposed by gum recession and the dentine underlying the protective enamel of the tooth crown can become exposed through erosion.”

Essentially, whatever process leaves the dentine exposed can render your teeth sensitive. This may include:

• Bruxism or teeth grinding,
• Overaggressive brushing,
• Consuming too many acidic beverages,
• Over-use of tooth whitening products.

Habits to Change

Brushing too hard and too aggressively is a major cause of enamel erosion, especially if you brush immediately after a meal when the pH levels in your mouth lean towards being acidic. Acid softens your enamel making it more vulnerable to erosion. This is why Rutherford dental implants specialists recommend that you wait 30 minutes after a meal before brushing your teeth. Alternatively, you can chew sugar-free gum with Xylitol to help remineralize your teeth or wash your mouth out with plenty of water.

‘If the bristles of your toothbrush become frayed after only a few weeks’ use, then you are pushing down too hard when you brush,” say Rutherford dental implants specialists. “Your choice in beverages is also important. A diet high in fruit juice, alcohol, soda, coffee, tea and energy drinks can exacerbate erosion of the enamel, leading to heightened sensitivity.”

If you have already suffered advanced erosion or gum recession, you should speak to your dentist about your treatment options. You may require a gum graft to cover the exposed tooth roots or bonding to cover up regions of the tooth where the dentines – and delicate nerve endings – have become exposed.