4 Causes of Tooth Sensitivity and How to Reduce It

If you find it painful to drink cold beverages or eat hot food, you might have sensitive teeth. Fortunately, this is a problem that you can fix. There are many ways you can lessen your teeth's sensitivity to temperature and improve your oral health at the same time.

However, you must first understand the causes of tooth sensitivity. Only by knowing the reasons can you identify the possible triggers of your sensitive teeth and take the right action.

With that said, here are the causes of tooth sensitivity and how you can avoid them and reduce the pain.

1. You brush your teeth with too much force

While brushing your teeth is essential in maintaining oral health, brushing too hard can wear down the protective layer on your teeth. This can also be the case when brushing with a toothbrush with hard bristles. Either way, it can expose a microscopic tube that runs around your teeth down to the nerves. As a result, when you eat something hot, cold, or even sour, your nerves get easily irritated, causing the discomfort.

If you find yourself brushing too hard or using a hard toothbrush, take the appropriate action. Start brushing gently and switch to soft-bristled toothbrushes.

2. Your toothpaste is made to whiten teeth

Most tooth-whitening toothpastes contain chemicals that will scrub away anything on the surface of your teeth. Unfortunately, this can also cause some people's teeth to become extra sensitive.

If you have been using tooth whitening toothpaste and other whitening agents, you might want to stop using them.

3. Your gums are not healthy

Inflamed gums can easily cause tooth sensitivity. Gum disease can range from conditions such as gingivitis to receding gums. While this might not be the case if you are young, it is likely one of the causes when you are older.

The only way you can address this problem is to visit a dentist to assess your gums' health. If they find signs of gum disease, you will have to undergo dental procedures to reduce sensitivity and improve your gum's health.

4. You eat acidic foods and drinks

When you eat sour foods like lemons and other citrus fruits, you cover your teeth with acids. If your teeth are already sensitive, the acids can further irritate your nerves and cause pain and discomfort.

To reduce your pain, avoid or reduce eating acidic food items and drinks. If you cannot avoid them, rinse your mouth immediately after to get rid of any residual acids.

Conclusion

Besides the causes mentioned above, excessive plaque and tooth damage can also trigger sensitivity. Even going through a dental procedure can leave your teeth temporarily sensitive.

By knowing the possible causes, you can quickly take the appropriate action to reduce the pain and discomfort caused by tooth sensitivity. At the same time, do not forget to visit your dentist at least twice a year. That way, they can determine the state of your gums and teeth and give you recommendations on how you can improve your oral health.

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