Do you have sensitive teeth? If so, you’re far from alone. It’s estimated that one out of every eight Americans — or twelve percent of the population — deals with tooth sensitivity. So if it’s painful to eat that ice cream or bite into super-sweet cookies, you have millions of others feeling it right alongside you.
But why does this happen — and why to you? Is there anything you can do about it? We have the answers you need right here.
Table of Contents
What Is Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is a nervous system response to certain triggers. Your teeth have three layers: enamel, dentin, and pulp. Below them are the root and nerve. The enamel is the strongest and outermost layer, which protects the more sensitive parts and handles contact with hot, cold, sweet, and acidic foods and beverages.
In most cases, the enamel will prevent triggers from causing discomfort. However, if you have thin or otherwise compromised enamel, triggers can reach the tooth’s interior, activating the nerve via the tubules that run between it and the pulp. With temperature extremes, the enamel can sometimes be perfectly fine, but the sharp temperature changes might still cause pain.
Symptoms of Tooth Sensitivity
- Sharp pain when consuming hot or cold food and beverages
- Pain when outdoors on cold days
- Discomfort when brushing and flossing
- Twinges or lingering sensitivity after consuming acidic foods and drinks
- Pain when eating or drinking sweet items
Sudden Sensitivity
If you haven’t experienced tooth sensitivity in the past and it comes on suddenly, this can signal that something is wrong. Sometimes, sudden sensitivity is because of recent dental work, teeth whitening, or stress that causes you to clench and grind your teeth. However, it can stem from an injury to the tooth. If you develop sensitivity very quickly, speak with your dentist.
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
This brings us to the big question: why are your teeth sensitive? To get an accurate answer, you’ll need to talk to your dentist. There are many possibilities, and you might be dealing with multiple contributing factors. Below are a few common reasons people develop tooth sensitivity.
Gum Disease
Your gums protect the most delicate parts of your teeth: the roots, which lack enamel and house the nerve. When the gums recede or get damaged, they put the root in direct contact with triggers, making it easier to hit the nerve — especially with hot and cold foods and drinks.
The roots are also more vulnerable to decay since they don’t have enamel, meaning your sensitivity could also come from cavities.
Tooth Damage
Speaking of cavities, they will almost always lead to some sort of sensitivity, as will other tooth injuries. Even a microscopic cavity makes it easier for temperature changes and acid to reach the inner layers of the tooth.
The same is true of broken, chipped, and cracked teeth, since these can directly expose the dentin and pulp.
Thin Enamel
Your enamel is the first line of defense your teeth have against, well, everything. So the thinner it is, the more sensitivity you’ll probably experience. Some people are born with thin enamel, which is why you can have healthy teeth and still deal with sensitivity your whole life. For most, though, thin enamel develops with age.
Our enamel naturally wears down as we use our teeth to bite and chew. Certain things can speed this up, like using our teeth as tools, health issues, and some medications. Once the enamel is thin enough, extreme temperatures penetrate more easily, and you’re more likely to experience tooth damage.
Recent Dental Work
Sometimes, you really need dental work. And even though routine procedures are essential for your health, many can cause sensitivity. It usually goes away within hours, though it can take a few weeks. Cleanings, crowns, fillings, and veneers are all known to cause temporary tooth sensitivity.
Bruxism
People with bruxism clench and grind their teeth — usually while sleeping, although it can also happen when you’re awake. These actions place a lot of stress on the teeth and can cause several issues linked to sensitivity: thinner enamel, loose teeth, and tooth damage. Plus, bruxism can also stress the tooth root, making the nerve more sensitive.
Aggressive Oral Care
Your at-home oral hygiene routine can help prevent tooth sensitivity by warding off plaque and tartar, plus the decay they cause. But if you take the wrong approach or use the wrong tools, you can damage the enamel and cause sensitivity. Some common mistakes include:
- Using an acidic mouthwash (such as those containing alcohol) multiple times a day
- Brushing your teeth too hard
- Using too much force when flossing
- Buying stiff-bristled toothbrushes
- Replacing floss with toothpicks
- Using dental scalers at home to remove tartar
Sinus Problems
Because your nasal passages are so close to your teeth, sinus problems often cause tooth pain and sensitivity. When the sinuses swell, they can place pressure on the tooth roots, triggering the nerves, causing general pain, and making them more sensitive overall. If your sensitivity appears when your nose seems stuffy, chances are your sinuses are the culprits.
Frequent Vomiting
Acid can wear down the enamel and open the pores in your teeth, making it easier to trigger sensitivity. But acidic foods aren’t the only culprit here — frequent vomiting brings stomach acid into contact with the teeth. Whether it’s from pregnancy, an eating disorder, or a digestive disorder, vomiting can cause or increase sensitivity.
Hormonal Changes
Certain hormonal changes increase the likelihood of developing gum disease and tooth sensitivity. This is most common in women, since pregnancy and menopause cause significant hormonal shifts, but puberty and general aging can cause sensitivity in both men and women.
Nerve Damage and Nervous System Disorders
Sometimes, the tooth nerves become damaged, causing them to misfire and send the wrong signals to the brain. Nervous system disorders can cause similar issues, except the symptoms usually won’t be isolated to the teeth. If you are dealing with nerve issues, you will likely need to see a neurologist.
Teeth Whitening Treatments
Whitening treatments can also lead to tooth sensitivity. In fact, this is so common that many whitening brands have specific formulas for sensitive teeth. Bleaching agents work by opening the pores of the enamel, getting inside, and breaking up stains so they can be lifted out. This gives sensitivity triggers an easy path to the dentin and pulp.
On top of this, if you whiten your teeth too often or leave the products on longer than directed, you can permanently damage your enamel. If this happens, you’ll likely experience chronic tooth sensitivity and eventually develop tooth decay.
Diet
Your diet can have a significant effect on dental sensitivity. If you eat a lot of acidic foods or drink a lot of soda and citrus juices, it will gradually wear down your enamel. Hard foods are similar, in that they can also erode your enamel.
Another potential issue is not drinking enough water. A dry mouth creates the ideal environment for plaque to calcify into tartar, causing tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, many residential areas add fluoride to their water, which strengthens the enamel.
Medications
Some medications can cause dry mouth or otherwise make the teeth and gums more plaque-friendly. This includes aspirin, inhalers, antihistamine, certain antibiotics, and sugar-based liquid or chewable medications.
Is Tooth Sensitivity Always a Problem?
Most of us will experience some level of tooth sensitivity at some point, which raises an important question: should I always treat sensitive teeth as a problem?
Not necessarily. Tooth sensitivity doesn’t automatically mean your teeth are unhealthy or you have an underlying condition. And when sensitivity is clearly temporary — after dental work or from a whitening treatment (assuming you did it correctly) — it’s perfectly fine to avoid triggers and let it resolve on its own.
However, if your sensitivity is chronic, talk to your dentist. Even if there is nothing dangerous causing it, you shouldn’t have to live with the pain.
Reducing Tooth Sensitivity
If your tooth sensitivity is benign — or as benign as pain can ever be — you’ll probably want to reduce it. You can do a lot on your own to decrease tooth sensitivity, even if you can’t eliminate it. Just be sure to consult your dentist before trying any DIY methods, since they might recommend professional treatment instead.
- Switch to toothpaste for sensitive teeth: There are many over-the-counter toothpastes intended specifically to address sensitivity. Look for those that don’t include whitening ingredients, since they can actually increase your pain.
- Purchase soft-bristled toothbrushes: Effective cleaning should be gentle, which is why dentists recommend soft bristles for almost everyone. Medium and hard bristles can erode your enamel and irritate your gums, so if you don’t use one already, switch to a soft-bristled brush.
- Ask your dentist for prescription fluoride toothpaste: Since fluoride strengthens the enamel, it can help ward off sensitivity. While fluoride is in most over-the-counter toothpaste, the concentration might be too low to help you.
- Use a mouthwash that contains fluoride: But skip ones with alcohol. Alcohol might be great at killing bacteria, but it is often acidic and can harm the enamel. Alcohol-free fluoridated mouthwash should strengthen it.
- Get a professional desensitizing polish: When you get your teeth polished at the dentist, ask them to use a desensitizing formula. Combined with the deep clean of a professional polish, it can make a big difference.
- Ask for fluoride treatments: Dentists primarily use these for children, but adults can benefit from them too. This is a great way to get the benefits of fluoride in one short treatment, which is more convenient than other approaches.
- Get desensitizing gel and trays: You can get custom trays online or from your dentist. Depending on your needs, you might be better off getting a prescription-grade desensitizing gel from your dentist.
- Ask your dentist for sealants: Sometimes, you just need an extra layer between your teeth and those hot or cold sensations. Dental sealants are thin, clear layers that might offer just the right amount of additional protection.
- Avoid your triggers: It isn’t always ideal — or even possible — but you can attempt to avoid your triggers. It’s better to reduce the sensitivity, but if you can’t, or if it will take time, avoiding triggers can offer relief.
Make sure that you rule out serious underlying causes of sensitivity before trying these treatments, as some could make issues like tooth decay worse rather than better. If a general health condition is contributing to your sensitivity, you will need to get it treated.
Final Thoughts
If you have sensitive teeth, you don’t need to grin and bear it. First, determine if there is an underlying cause that a dentist can treat. If not, work on reducing your sensitivity. There are plenty of options available, both professional and DIY, making it easy to get the relief you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does tooth sensitivity always indicate poor oral health?
No. While oral health problems are the most common cause of sensitivity, they’re not the only one. It can also come from temporary issues with your sinuses, a recent deep cleaning, and more.
Can good oral hygiene prevent sensitivity?
It’s not a guarantee, but it will help decrease the chances of developing issues linked to sensitivity, like gum disease and enamel erosion. It’s better to think of oral hygiene as a way to reduce the risk of tooth sensitivity rather than prevent it altogether.
Is sudden tooth sensitivity a red flag?
Not always. For example, some people develop tooth sensitivity immediately after dental procedures — even routine cleanings. But if you can;t link your sudden sensitivity with anything specific and benign, consider it a red flag and contact your dentist.
Do over-the-counter sensitivity toothpastes really work?
They can, but it isn’t guaranteed. For most people, they will at least help reduce sensitivity. However, depending on the severity of your case, it might not make the difference you need. When that happens, you can ask your dentist for a stronger option.
If I have sensitivity, can I still whiten my teeth?
Ask your dentist first, since it depends on the cause of your sensitivity. If there is no underlying issue with your oral health, you can, but you should use a formula for sensitive teeth.
What’s the most affordable way to manage tooth sensitivity?
Sensitive teeth toothpaste is probably the most affordable option. Toothpaste is something you’re already buying, and formulas for reducing sensitivity are usually only slightly more expensive than standard options. If you are looking at professional treatments, fluoride and sealants are typically the most affordable.
Will dental insurance cover tooth sensitivity treatments?
It varies between policies. However, it’s unlikely that insurance providers will cover treatments strictly for sensitivity. If your sensitivity stems from something like a cavity, you should receive at least partial coverage.
Do fillings make you develop tooth sensitivity?
They can. Gold fillings are most known for causing sensitivity, but any filling can trigger the nerve if your dentist had to drill deep enough. Dentists will usually place a lining material inside of deep fillings to prevent this, but in rare cases, it won’t work.
Can sensitivity be bad enough that you need a root canal?
Yes. However, your dentist will likely suggest other options first.
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