If a simple bite of ice cream or a sip of cold water on a hot summer day sends a sharp jolt through your mouth, you’re probably dealing with tooth sensitivity. Research finds that roughly one in every eight adults has tooth sensitivity, and rates are highest among people between 18 and 44 years old.
While it can feel like something that you just need to learn to live with, tooth sensitivity can be treated and prevented. In fact, most people find real relief quickly with only small changes.
Continue reading to learn what causes sensitive teeth, which at-home and professional treatments actually work, and when to see the best dentist in Mountain View for professional help.
What is Tooth Sensitivity? Understanding Dentin Hypersensitivity
Tooth sensitivity, also known as dentin hypersensitivity, is a term that describes how your teeth react to a cold drink or certain foods like those high in sugar. The easiest way to understand tooth sensitivity is to start with a bit of anatomy. Each tooth has three main layers:
- Enamel: The hard, white outer shell on the visible part
- Cementum: A thin coating covering the part of your tooth that’s under your gums
- Dentin: A softer material inside your tooth, which contains thousands of tiny channels called tubules that connect to the nerve at the center of the tooth
When enamel wears thin or cementum gets exposed, the tubules inside the dentin open up like little straws. Hot coffee, cold water, or even a sharp breath of winter air can travel through them and reach the nerve, which fires off a quick pain signal to your brain. This usually feels like a fast, sharp flash of pain rather than the dull, steady throb of a regular toothache, but it tends to fade within seconds of removing the trigger.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Most tooth sensitivity traces back to one or more dental habits or problems:
- Gum recession that exposes the tooth root, usually caused by gum disease, untreated tooth decay, or smoking
- Brushing too hard or with a toothbrush that has stiff bristles
- A steady habit of eating acidic foods or drinking things like soda, citrus, and sugary sports drinks
- A history of uncontrolled acid reflux, which can wear away your enamel
- A cracked tooth, a cavity, or an old dental filling that's starting to fail can all expose the inner layers of a tooth
- Grinding or clenching your teeth, known as bruxism
Why Are My Teeth Suddenly Sensitive?
Dentin hypersensitivity that shows up out of nowhere usually has a specific reason behind it. Some of the common culprits include:
- Recent dental work, including getting a dental filling or a professional teeth cleaning
- Teeth whitening treatments, especially if done with a store-bought whitening kit, that can irritate the gum line or damage the tooth enamel
- Gum recession or enamel loss from poor dental hygiene
Treatments That Actually Work to Stop Tooth Sensitivity
The first move for most people is switching to a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. Look for one with potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride, since both ingredients work to block the pain signals before they reach the nerve. Use it twice a day in place of your regular toothpaste, and give it about two weeks to reach its full effect. For faster relief on a specific tooth, you can dab a little of the paste directly on the sore spot before bed and leave it there overnight.
If toothpaste alone isn't cutting it, the best dentist in Mountain View has stronger tools:
- Painting a fluoride varnish directly on the affected teeth to improve the strength of the enamel
- Applying a dental bonding resin to seal exposed dentin
- A gum graft to cover an exposed tooth root
- Treatment for tooth decay, including tooth-colored dental fillings
In cases where the sensitivity points to more serious damage, like a crack or tooth decay that has reached the pulp, a root canal may be the right call to remove the inflamed nerve and end the pain for good.
When to See a Dentist for Tooth Sensitivity
Mild sensitivity that comes and goes is usually nothing to lose sleep over, but some signs do call for a professional check. It’s time to see a dentist if you experience symptoms of tooth sensitivity:
- Lasts longer than a few weeks
- Is sharp enough to interfere with your life
- Wakes you up at night
- Gets worse when chewing
You should also see the best family dentist in Mountain View for tooth sensitivity in just one tooth, which can be caused by a cracked tooth, a cavity, or a filling that needs to be replaced.
Once you have your teeth sensitivity under control, the best way to prevent future sensitivity is to see the best dentist for dental checkups in Mountain View for regular comprehensive dental checkups and cleanings.
Finding the Best Dentist in Mountain View for Tooth Sensitivity Treatment
Tooth sensitivity has a sneaky way of coming out of nowhere and hanging around long enough to get in the way of enjoying a scoop of ice cream or your morning coffee. Thankfully, you don’t have to avoid the foods and drinks you love for long. Most cases of dentin hypersensitivity respond well to habit changes, the right toothpaste, and keeping up with comprehensive dental care.
At Lagemann Family Dentistry, we treat tooth sensitivity by getting to the root of the problem, not simply covering symptoms. Whether you need a quick fluoride treatment, a closer look at a tooth that's been bothering you for months, or a long-term plan for everyone in the household, our team will help you figure out what's actually going on and create a personalized treatment plan.
Ready to get fast and effective relief of tooth sensitivity with help from the best family dentist in Mountain View?
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