Why Do We Suffer From Tooth Sensitivity?

Do you ever wonder why do we suffer from tooth sensitivity? Do your teeth ever hurt when you eat ice cream or acidic foods? Our dental team at McGlone Dental Care in Denver assures you that most of the time tooth sensitivity is not a major dental problem.

Of course, we know that it can be uncomfortable and bothersome, but we can help you manage it and make sure it doesn’t lead to something more serious like tooth decay. For now, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you may be experiencing tooth sensitivity.

You may be using the wrong toothpaste or mouthwash.

You may not know this, but sometimes manufacturers of dental products like toothpaste add chemicals that are too strong for your teeth. These added chemicals may be wearing down your tooth enamel.

If this occurs then your teeth are stripped of their protective layer. If the nerve endings of the teeth are exposed from the outside, your teeth become sensitive. When that happens, eating cold foods like ice cream or acidic foods like pickles or red wine will make your teeth hurt.

Really the only thing you can do is be very careful about which toothpaste and mouthwash you use. Make sure you look at what’s in them and avoid the damaging chemicals. If you don’t know what chemicals to avoid, feel free to ask us. We are always happy to give you advice.

You could be grinding your teeth when you sleep.

Grinding your teeth as you sleep is a habit often started when you are a teenager or younger. You need to try and stop the grinding when you are young because if you don’t, people often find it harder to stop as an adult.

What happens when you grind your teeth is that your enamel gets worn down and after a while, it will expose your tooth’s dentin. Dentin is connected to your tooth’s nerves. So you know what that means. When your nerves are not protected, you will experience the discomfort of tooth sensitivity when you eat acidic or cold food.

Luckily there’s a solution. We can help you get a mouth guard to wear while you sleep which will prevent the grinding and protect your teeth. Sometimes, with a mouth guard preventing the unintentional grinding, the habit may go away on its own.

You may be eating too many foods that are acidic.

It’s interesting to know that eating acidic food can make you feel the discomfort from tooth sensitivity caused by the issues we’ve already mentioned, but it can also be the cause of your tooth sensitivity.

Try not to eat too many acidic foods because it can wear down that protective layer of enamel on your teeth and over time expose the dentin. Common fruits to avoid are oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit. Also keep an eye on pickles, cranberries and anything tomato based like pasta sauces and ketchup. Coffee and wine are also big culprits.

Your toothbrush’s bristles could be too hard.

The bristles of your toothbrush should be soft. If the bristles are too hard and you brush with too much pressure, it may cause the outside layers of your teeth to be worn down. Having a soft bristle toothbrush gives you the best chance of not having sensitivity from hard bristles. Double-check the packaging of your toothbrush next time you pick one up.

If you’re feeling discomfort and wonder why do we suffer from tooth sensitivity after you eat something cold or acidic, make an appointment with our dentist at McGlone Dental Care in Denver. We can take a look at your teeth to make sure the enamel is not worn down and help you get some relief from your tooth sensitivity. Call or contact us today.