What factors cause sensitive teeth?

Teeth sensitivity is a very common problem but not something you can let go of. When the protective layers over your teeth start withering, painful conditions like tooth sensitivity arise.

When you have sensitive teeth, activities like brushing, consuming hot drinks, and eating cold food items like ice cream, cause a sharp pain in your teeth. However, sometimes, these are not the reasons for teeth sensitivity instead, factors such as a cavity, cracked tooth, worn-out filling, gingivitis, or gum infection are the underlying reasons for the pain.

Sensitive teeth occur at any age. Though, most commonly it is found that individuals between ages 20 – 50 experience higher teeth sensitivity issues because of excessed exposure to outside food, growth of physical structure of the teeth, and on the other hand, elderly individuals experience teeth sensitivity due to receding gums and wear and tear of the tooth enamel that occurs with growing age.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

Various things can cause tooth sensitivity. Some of the most common causes include:

Teeth Whitening:

Frequent teeth whitening products can damage tooth enamel and deteriorate several layers of your tooth. As the preceding layers keep withering, the pulp where blood vessels and nerves reside begins to surface. Hence, when you eat anything cold or even cold air is felt, the sensation of sensitivity and pain triggers.

Tooth Decay:

When sensitivity in the tooth is felt, it is recommended to visit a dentist. Sometimes, teeth sensitivity is an early sign of developing cavities. Cavities are tiny holes in your teeth that are caused by residing bacteria in your mouth. These holes eventually expose the nerves and blood vessels in your teeth and cause sensitivity.

Gum Diseases:

Gum are tissues that are protecting the roots of your teeth. When bacteria are present in your mouth, your gums are inflamed and they are no more protecting your roots. This leads to periodontal diseases which is an infection of the gums as well as bones that are supporting your teeth. As the bacteria around gums start feeding on your gums, they progress further below and start destroying your bone and tissues which leads to receding gums. This recession exposes a major part of your teeth causing sensitivity.

Acidic Food:

Highly acidic foods and beverages erode your enamel. This damage to your enamel exposes the bottom layers of your teeth and causes sensitivity due to the exposure of the pulp.

How to Get Rid of Sensitive Teeth?

1. Saltwater rinses:

Add half a tablespoon of salt in lukewarm water, stir it well and rinse your mouth with this solution daily twice. Salt is an effective anti-septic solution that helps in so many ways to keep your teeth healthy, such as:

• To get rid of bacteria
• Reduces swelling
• Relives pain
• Also cures teeth sensitivity

2. Hydrogen Peroxide:

H2O2 – Hydrogen Peroxide is a disinfectant solution that is useful to heal bleeding gums caused due to bacterial infection and recessive gums. This further helps to prevent infection in the bleeding gum. How to use it:

• In lukewarm water add 3 cups of Hydrogen Peroxide and mix it well.
• Gargle with this solution for 30 seconds and spit it out.
• Rinse your mouth with normal water warm or cold to remove the remaining solution of hydrogen peroxide in your mouth.

3. Honey and warm water:

Honey is an antibacterial agent that immensely helps to cure damaged gums due to bacterial invasion. Honey helps.

• Rid of bacteria
• Reduce inflammation
• Cure pain
• Help get rid of teeth sensitivity
• Speeds up the healing process.

You must mix honey in warm water and stir till the honey completely dissolves in the water. Rinse with this anti-bacterial solution and clean your mouth with plain water then. This will help to speed up the process of oral healing.

4. Turmeric

Turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory stratagem that enhances the healing process and reduces blood loss. For alleviated pain and teeth sensitivity, it is best to create a paste of turmeric with water and rub it over your gums along with salt and mustard oil. This will provide instant relief from dental pain and help get rid of sensitivity.

Tip: Use turmeric for any kinds of open wounds or bleeding cuts to prevent inflammation, blood loss, and quick healing.

5. Green tea

Green tea is a great antioxidant that helps strengthen your tooth enamel and roots of the teeth that further helps to keep the teeth in place and gums enclosed. Green tea mouthwashes also protect you from oral cancer and maintain the overall health of your jaw and teeth.

Note: It is not the teeth or the gums where bacteria can reside. The tongue plays a major factor for bacteria to produce which may cause the bacteria to spread and also cause bad breath. For that matter, it affects, in the same manner, the adults too.

How to prevent teeth sensitivity?

Above mentioned cures for teeth sensitivity will certainly relieve dental pain but here are some oral care methods you want to include to avoid them from rising again. These are:

• Always keep your mouth clean by rinsing your mouth with water after eating daily.
• Use a soft brush to not damage the tooth enamel.
• Limit the amounts of acidic foods and drinks in your diet.
• Do not brush your teeth too aggressively.
• Arrange regular dental visits for cleaning.
• Do not grind your teeth at night or day.
• If necessary, use a mouth guard or Clear Aligners.

These remedies will reduce pain and teeth sensitivity but only temporarily. It is very important to know the root cause of any dental or oral pain.

Better late than never.

Schedule an appointment today to get to the root cause of your dental pain and a permanent solution to your teeth sensitivity.

At Kanata Highlands Dental Care we offer the best service to maintain the shine of your smile.

For more information, contact us today at (613)-270-1001 or book an appointment today!