TEETH SENSITIVITY: CAUSES

                            TEETH SENSITIVITY : CAUSES

Teeth sensitivity also called  dentinal hypersensitivity, is  the condition which causes intense pain to some teeth with the use of  a cold or hot, sweet or sour substance in the mouth or even regular brushing.
The most usual causes of a tooth sensitivity problem are :  

1. Brushing with force

 Sometimes tooth sensitivity comes from brushing with too much force or with  hard-bristled  toothbrush.    Overtime the protective layers of your teeth wears out and the canals or tubules that lead to your dental nerves are exposed. When these tubules are exposed to hot or cold or to acidic or sticky foods, tooth sensitivity and discomfort can be the result. Its better to switch to a toothbrush with softer bristles and to be gentler when brushin

2. Eating acidic foods

 Acidic foods such as tomato sauce, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi, and pickles can expose the dental nerves and cause pain. Try to avoid them as much as possible.

3.Teeth grinding

 Grinding your teeth can wear down the enamel, even though it’s the strongest substance in your body. By doing so, you expose the dentin, the middle layer of the tooth, which contains the hollow tubes.

4. Tooth-whitening toothpaste

Some people are more sensitive to toothpaste that contains tooth whitening chemicals than others. If your toothpaste could be to blame for tooth sensitivity, consider switching toothpastes.

5.Gum diseases

Receding gums, which are common with increasing age can cause tooth sensitivity.

6.Excessive plaque

 Plaque that forms after you eat can cause your enamel to wear away .Your teeth can become more sensitive as they lose their enamel protection. Flossing and brushing can remove excessive plaque from teeth.

7. Decay around the edges of fillings

 As you get older, fillings can weaken and fracture or leak around the edges. It’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


In short the major problems causing teeth sensitivity are:

a)Exposed root areas due to receding gums or periodontal disease.
b) Dentin exposure caused by vigorous brushing with a hard bristled toothbrush or incorrect way of     brushing teeth.

c)Worn out enamel because of teeth grinding. d)Enamel erosion caused by chemical agents or acidic diet .
e)Tooth decay, due to the lesions of the enamel surface
f)Teeth sensitivity can occur following routine dental procedures like teeth cleaning, root planing or tooth restoration. Teeth sensitivity problems caused by dental procedures -are temporary, usually disappearing in 4 to 6 weeks.
g)Teeth whitening, as a result of high abrasivity or/and chemical action of the whitening products' active ingredients on the tooth tissues. Teeth sensitivity during bleaching process has become a very common problem due to the wide spread use of at home whitening products.

In the end,  the most important step is to see a dental professional so that he or she can determine the cause of the tooth sensitivity and help you find a solution that will work.