Dentine has very tiny channels which have nerve endings and are filled with fluid. Eating foods that are hot, cold, and sweet shifts the fluid in the tooth. When the nerve endings react to the shift in the fluid it causes discomfort and sometimes even pain. There are a number of triggers that can cause tooth enamel to wear off. Among the many reasons of enamel wear off are consuming too many acidic foods and drinks. Sometimes even breathing in cold air can cause discomfort if the teeth have become sensitive.
- Brushing the teeth too hard or too forcefully especially with a hard brush can cause the tooth enamel to wear off. If this hard brushing also causes gums to recede, then there is more sensitivity. Brush your teeth with a soft brush that gives it a gentle massage, but does not wear off enamel or expose the dentine.If you brush your teeth after eating acidic foods, you could reduce enamel wear off.
- People who are in the habit of grinding their teeth in their sleep or who clench their teeth too hard and too often can also cause the dentine to be exposed since the enamel will wear off with these habits.
- Sometimes when the gums are affected by periodontal diseases like gingivitis, it can cause the gums to become inflamed. When gum tissues become weak, the gums can expose more of the dentine at the root of the tooth. This also causes tooth sensitivity.About 67% people feel a sensation form cold foods or drinks as compared to 35% affected by hot foods and drinks and 47% from eating sweet foods.
- Nowadays people use a lot of mouthwash. If mouthwash is used a number of times during the day then the acid in the mouthwash can cause the enamel to erode just like eating acidic foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, some juices. Sometimes even tooth whiteners can cause problems, especially if they have bleaching solutions to brighten up the teeth. Perhaps if you stop using mouthwash and whiteners you could still prevent your teeth from becoming sensitive.
- Tooth decay that causes cavities and chipped teeth can expose the nerve endings in the dentine. So when you eat anything hot, cold, or sweet you can feel the sensation going right into your head. Prevent tooth sensitivity of this kind by getting your cavities filled up and getting a crown for chipped teeth. Some people are even sensitive to dental treatments, especially cleaning or root canal surgery. However, these are necessary measures that are needed for good oral health and these pains are temporary.
Tooth sensitivity can be reduced by applying a permanent sealant on the sensitive tooth. Sometimes even crowing a sensitive tooth reduces sensitivity. However, even toothpastes can help to block the passages to the nerves and pulp inside the teeth.
