Do you experience a sharp pain in the teeth when you enjoy foods that are cold or hot? Do you find that you deal with flashes of tooth pain when exposed to foods that are different temperatures, acidic, or spicy? If you are dealing with this discomfort when enjoying your favorite foods, you may be struggling with a cavity. However, you could also just have sensitive teeth.
Why do the teeth become sensitive?
The teeth are protected by enamel and gum tissue. When the enamel of the teeth is worn down, thinned out, or is not covered by gum tissue because of gum recession, the dentin of the teeth are exposed and can cause nerve pain. When patients eat foods that are of different temperatures, the dentin reacts due to the nerves in the teeth. These flashes of discomfort can make it difficult to enjoy eating certain foods.
Causes of sensitive teeth
There are different reasons why patients might experience sensitivity in their teeth. Common reasons include:
- Patients brushing their teeth too hard or using a hard-bristled brush, which wears away enamel and causes recession of the gum tissues
- Periodontal disease, which can cause recession of the gum tissues and exposure of the roots and dentin
- Gingivitis, which causes inflamed gum tissue that can expose tooth roots
- Teeth that are chipped or cracked
- Teeth worn down by clenching and grinding associated with bruxism
- Regular consumption of highly acidic foods which can thin tooth enamel
- Fillings that do not fully seal the tooth, leaving a portion exposed and susceptible to sensitivity and pain
Tired of dealing with sensitive teeth?
Dr. Kevin Winters and his team at The Hills Dental Spa Cosmetic and Family Dentistry are here to help Austin, TX adults and children with improving their oral health and maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile for life. If you live in the community and are ready to work with our team, we encourage you to call (512) 347-0044 and book an appointment at our facility, located at 6836 Bee Cave Road, Building 1, Suite #300. We accept new and established patients into our practice for quality, comprehensive care.
