No matter how conscientious you are about your oral care routine, at some point in your life, you may experience tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the enamel that protects our teeth gets thinner, or when gum recession occurs, exposing the underlying surface, the dentin, thus, reducing the protection the enamel and gums provide to the tooth and root.

Tooth Sensitivity Could Mean a Number of Things

If you are experiencing sharp pains when eating or drinking hot or cold foods, it could mean you have a cavity. It may also be a sign that you may have sensitive teeth, either from receding gums or from a thinning of your tooth enamel. Tooth sensitivity can mean certain things, including tooth decay (cavities), fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn tooth enamel, or exposed tooth root.

What You Can Do

If hot, cold, sweet, or very acidic foods and drinks, or breathing in cold air, make your teeth or a tooth sensitive or painful, then you may have sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity can come and go over time.

While you are waiting for a dental appointment to confirm the cause of your sensitive teeth, consider doing the following:

Use dental products designed for sensitivity – Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth may help ease the symptoms

Daily brushing – Brushing properly twice daily for two minutes with toothpaste that does not have high levels of abrasives can help reduce the chance of tooth sensitivity

Flossing – flossing once a day can help get rid of plaque on the gum line and between the teeth, and can help reduce instances of tooth sensitivity

Follow a diet low in acid – a diet low in acidic foods and drinks also helps prevent tooth sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can make eating and drinking a painful experience.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, it is likely cramping your lifestyle. Please contact us to make an appointment as soon as possible, so we can figure out the cause and provide treatment!

At Potomac Dental Group, our promise to our patients is to educate them about their teeth so they are empowered to make more informed decisions about their oral health and aesthetics. To schedule your next visit to our office, please contact our team.