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Who has never felt that shiver when biting an ice cream directly? What about when a piece of ice touches the back of a tooth? Yes, it is a very uncomfortable pain, but be aware that this problem can be even greater for many people and does not always mean caries. In today’s text we are going to talk all about tooth sensitivity and clarify the main doubts on the subject. After all, what is she? Why does it exist? How to prevent? And how to treat? Check out all this and more!
What is Teeth Sensitivity?
Also known as tooth hypersensitivity, tooth sensitivity is characterized by intense pain when the teeth touch something too cold or too hot. At more extreme levels, it prevents people from eating certain foods like ice cream or drinking coffee, for example.
Most people who suffer from sensitive teeth are between 20 and 50 years old, but people of all ages can suffer from this problem. In any case, visiting a dentist so that she can do all the necessary exams is very important. That way, you can discover the cause of the sensitivity in your teeth and know how to treat it in the best way. That said, it is important to know that tooth sensitivity is a relatively easy problem to be solved, especially if you follow all the recommendations of your dentist .
What are the causes of tooth sensitivity?
Teeth tenderness can occur for a variety of causes. But before we talk about it, it is important that you know why your teeth become so sensitive. This is mainly because dentin, the inner part of a tooth, is uncovered and exposed, making it harder to eat hotter or colder foods. Although this is not the only cause of tooth sensitivity, it is undoubtedly the most common.
That said, one of the main causes of tooth sensitivity is the loss of enamel , which, in turn, can be caused by several factors such as bruxism, excessive brushing, cavities, inadequate nutrition or even gastroesophageal reflux.
Another cause of tooth sensitivity is gingival retraction, which can also occur for several reasons such as bruxism, periodontal disease, age, among other things.
Regardless of the factor that causes sensitivity, the most important thing is to know how to treat and reduce the effects that this problem can have on your life.
Teeth Sensitivity Treatments
The type of treatment that a dentist will recommend in case of tooth sensitivity depends a lot on the causative factor, since one thing is directly a consequence of the other. However, as we said, dentin exposure is the most common cause of this problem and, in this case, there are some actions that a dentist normally takes, such as:
- Fluoride application in foam, gel or varnish to strengthen the most sensitive areas;
- Therapeutic laser application;
- Waterproofing of the dentin surface, preventing it from coming into contact with food and, consequently, sensitivity in the teeth.
It is worth mentioning that this type of treatment is only totally effective when combined with attitudes that you also take at home, such as brushing with specific toothpastes for sensitive teeth and not brushing your teeth excessively.
How to prevent tooth sensitivity?
The prevention of tooth sensitivity can be done in several ways. Some of the main actions that can be taken in this regard are:
- Flossing daily
- Brush your teeth every day without excess and without too much force
- Avoid eating very acidic foods
It is worth mentioning that the prevention of problems already mentioned here such as bruxism, gingival retraction, gastroesophageal reflux and periodontal disease are also ways to prevent tooth sensitivity. Remember that much more than avoiding pain, you will also be helping your own health and have a better life, without a doubt.
Consequences of Not Treating
Sensitivity in the teeth itself is not a major problem, that is, it does not cause very serious consequences in addition to preventing you from eating certain types of food, which can be bad for many people. However, sensitivity can be a sign of bigger problems that can actually have more serious consequences if left untreated.
As we said earlier, sensitivity can be caused by diseases such as bruxism, gastroesophageal reflux and periodontal disease. Such diseases when not properly treated can have serious consequences, from the loss of all teeth to the origin of malignant tumors, in the case of gastroesophageal reflux.
For many, tooth sensitivity is a matter of little or no importance when it comes to oral health. But it is important to know that this is a condition that can seriously affect the lives of many people and that it can develop relatively easily when a person does not take the correct precautions. For this reason, knowing what the causes of this problem are and knowing how it is treated is essential. That way, you will be prepared to identify and prevent tooth sensitivity from having serious consequences in your life. Knowledge is always important, especially when it comes to your own body.
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
