How To Deal With Sensitive Teeth — At Any Time of Year

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Do you have sensitive teeth? Tooth sensitivity in response to cold food (ice cream), hot drinks (tea) and even sweet foods (fudge) is common and familiar. Just how common. As many as one-third of Canadians experience at least occasionally sensitive teeth — over 10,000,000 people in Canada alone.

What about when you step outside into a brisk winter day? Have you ever noticed that your teeth become sensitive then? Many people do, and for the same reason that your teeth are sensitive in response to cold ice cream.

What causes cold-related tooth sensitivity?

Exposure to cold temperatures can cause cracks in your teeth — especially if your tooth enamel is otherwise vulnerable for reasons we’ll mention below. When cracks do occur, microscopic tubes and the dentin layer below your enamel are exposed. The exposure of those microscopic tubes causes pain just like the pain you might recognize from past cavities or gum disease. Your dentin layer beneath the enamel layer is also covered in nerve fibers. Cracks or other degradations of your enamel that expose the nerve fibers on your dentin to cold temperatures will result in that same pain.

There are several other causes of seasonal tooth sensitivity. They include:

● Periodontal disease affecting your gums and parts of the anatomy in your jaw (cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone) can cause sensitivity by exposing the dentin layer

● Brushing your teeth too hard gradually wears away your enamel and exposes the sensitive dentin layer

● Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth can damage enamel on the biting and other surfaces of your teeth

● One of the first symptoms of tooth decay that you’ll notice is often sensitivity to cold temperatures

● The bleaching ingredients in compounds used for teeth whitening in Spruce Grove effectively remove stains but can also cause teeth sensitivity. A dentist providing teeth whitening near you can adjust those bleaching compounds to deal with that tooth sensitivity. If you’re using DIY teeth whitening options and experiencing significant tooth sensitivity, stop the treatment and get in touch with a dentist near you. Your dentist will determine if your enamel has been damaged, help you deal with the symptoms of sensitivity and offer some advice for achieving whiter teeth safely and more comfortably

● Acidic beverages such as tea, coffee, sodas and some fruit juices are highly acidic. That acidity can, unless rinsed from your teeth, erode your enamel layer

● Smoking and inadequate dental hygiene habits can cause your gums to recede. Receding gums expose parts of your tooth roots that are extremely sensitive to heat, cold and acids.

Treatment options for serious tooth sensitivity

Intermittent, minor and brief tooth sensitivity may not be a serious issue that requires dental attention. Having said that, sensitivity that is constant, painful and distracting, or long-lasting should be discussed with a dentist in Spruce Grove so that underlying issues can be investigated and addressed. There are several treatment options and strategies for responding to tooth sensitivity, ranging from self-care and lifestyle changes to surgical intervention:

● Improvements to dental hygiene habits and changes to diet

● Using toothpaste and mouthwash formulated to help with tooth sensitivity

● Applying fluoride to strengthen your enamel

● Covering exposed root surfaces with compounding material of sealants

● Applying compounding materials or sealants to seal minor cracks in your teeth

● Providing a custom-fit mouth guard if you grind your jaw and clench your teeth as you sleep

● Root canal treatment if your tooth sensitivity is the result of infected pulp material inside your tooth

If you’re suffering sensitive teeth that is worse than mere nuisance at any time of year, reach out to a dentist near you. Even if it’s not a big deal, they can rule out any underlying problems. If there are any underlying dental issues, they can provide you with some relief.

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