By Arthur Kezian
Do you feel sensitivity on your teeth when you drink cold water or when you brush them? Sensitivity is a very common type of pain in the dental field, and the good thing is that you don’t have to put up with it. There are a number of things you can do to help lessen sensitivity or even stop it completely. To understand why your teeth are sensitive in the first place, mentioned below are some of the main reasons any dentist would agree with.
One reason why you might feel sensitivity
around your teeth is because you brush with too much force or use a brush that
has very hard bristles. Constant brushing with too much force can cause wearing
of your teeth overtime. Because you are wearing away a protective layer of your
teeth, feeling sensitivity when you drink something cold is to be expected. The
simplest way to change this is to switch to a brush that has softer bristles
and to brush your teeth without exerting too much force.
One other reason sensitivity may occur is
because of toothpastes or mouthwashes. Some toothpastes have whitening
substances inside them that can cause sensitivity for some people. If this is
your case, you should switch your toothpaste or use one that is specifically for
sensitivity, like Sensodyne. Some people have more sensitive teeth than others
and can even get the sensitivity because of excessive use of mouthwash.
Mouthwash contains alcohol and other chemicals that may cause sensitivity; you
can try switching to neutral fluoride rinses instead.
You may also have sensitivity due to the foods
you eat. Certain foods that are acidic in nature can cause sensitivity. These
foods include, but are not limited to, lemons, grapefruits, kiwis, nectarines,
pickles, vinegar, and even tomato sauce. If you are having sensitivity from the
foods you are eating, be cautious of what you consume.
You can also feel sensitivity because you may
have gum disease or because your gums have receded. This is very common with
age, especially if you don’t pay much attention to your oral health. If the
sensitivity is a lot, your dentist can seal the edges of the teeth around the
gum line with a small filling to stop the sensitivity or even use a special
chemical that can seal the area and act as a protective layer.
Sometimes sensitivity can even occur from
fillings that have been done years ago and need replacement because there is
decay around the edges of them. A general or cosmetic dentist can replace your
fillings for you and stop the sensitivity.
One other reason may be because of plaque. If
you have a lot of built up plaque, then that too can wear off your enamel
overtime. You need to keep up with your dental visits and cleanings every six
months and make sure your home care is good!
You can also feel sensitivity if you grind
your teeth. Grinding your teeth can also wear your enamel away and cause
sensitivity. The solution for this would be to get and start wearing a mouth
guard. The best types of mouth guards are custom-made to fit your bite
perfectly.
Sensitivity can also be caused by recent
dental work. It’s common to feel some sensitivity after a filling or after getting
a crown. This type of sensitivity is normal and temporary because the teeth
have just been worked on. If the sensitivity does not go away though, you
should visit a cosmetic dentistry to have the area checked out.
One more reason why you might feel sensitivity
is because your tooth might be chipped or even cracked. Depending on the size
of the chip or crack, your dentist will decide upon the treatment that should
be done.
Whatever the reason may be for your
sensitivity, you should make an appointment with your dentist and try to come
to a solution together. If you have any questions about sensitivity and the
causes of it, feel free to contact Dr. Arthur A. Kezian. He and his staff will answer all your questions and ease your
concerns.
Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont
Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 http://www.drkezian.com
-N.S.
