subject: What Is Tooth Sensitivity And How Do I Avoid It? [print this page] Tooth sensitivity is an unpleasant condition, but one which is not extremely serious. In all cases it should be discussed at your dentist Palatine office, but the good news is that in most cases, it is only a minor problem. Never overlook tooth sensitivity though. In itself, it is not usually a major concern, but there are times when it can be a symptom representing a much more serious problem. Remember that any time you feel any pain or experience any new sensations in your teeth; you should always get them checked out by your dentist.
Normally, tooth sensitivity can be broken into two categories. These are dentin sensitivity, and root sensitivity. Normally, what happens with sensitive teeth is that they will feel normal most of the time. However, changes in temperature or exposure to a number of different things will make your tooth feel extremely sensitive, or painful. This can happen from a number of different causes. Common triggers for sensitive teeth include hot foods and beverages like soup or coffee, cold food and beverages like ice cream, acidic flavors like those in orange juice, overly sweet food and drink like soda or chocolate, and breathing in cold air.
Almost half of people will experience tooth sensitivity at some point in time during their life. The reason it is 'some time' and not all the time, is that this is a condition which comes and goes. Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by reduced gums. Many people experience problems where their gums receded, but then their teeth adjust and the sensitivity goes away.
When your gums recede, it leaves an area of the tooth exposed which does not have the enamel the rest of the tooth has to protect it, which is why it is so sensitive. There are a number of things which lead to this problem. Brushing too hard is a major cause, as is using over abrasive toothpastes, which is why dentists put a strong emphasis on teaching people proper brushing technique. Certain diets can also lead to increased tooth sensitivity. Usually, these are diets which include a higher percentage of acidic things, such as soft drinks. Stomach acid can also aggravate the problem, such as might be present in the mouth during bulimia, or with GERD. If you do have sensitive teeth, your dentist will likely recommend that you use special toothpaste and gentle brushing to see if the problem corrects.
