Sensitive Teeth

Do you suffer from sensitive teeth.  Many of us say we have “sensitive teeth.” We usually mean that we feel twinges of pain or discomfort in our teeth in certain situations.  Here a few common cause of sensitive teeth and you can you can help  prevent this.

Using Too Much Mouthwash

Love keeping your breath minty fresh? If you grab frequent swigs of mouthwash throughout the day, you may be setting yourself up for sensitive teeth. That's because some mouthwashes contain acids that may make already-sensitive teeth worse. The solution: Ask your dentist about neutral fluoride rinses.

Eating Acidic Foods

Enjoying  too many acid-rich foods and drinks and you could erode the protective enamel on your teeth, exposing the vulnerable dentin beneath. Help neutralize the acids with a piece of cheese or glass of milk after eating.

Receding Gums

The roots of your teeth contain thousands of tiny tubes that lead to the nerve center of your teeth. Usually teeth roots are hidden under a protective cover of gum tissue. But if you have periodontal disease, the gums may start pulling away from teeth, exposing the ultra-sensitive root.

Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard

Think brushing your teeth harder cleans them better? Think again. Brushing too strenuously (or using a hard-bristled brush) can expose tooth roots by causing gum recession. It can also wear away your tooth's enamel, exposing dentin). Holes in the dentin are really microscopic tubes (blue) that allow hot, cold, and sweet foods to stimulate tooth nerves. Ouch!

Cracked Teeth

Munching ice, biting into hard candies, having large fillings -- they can all lead to chipped, broken teeth. Once a tooth is cracked the nerve-rich pulp hidden deep inside may become irritated when chewing rubs the cracked tooth pieces together. A crack may also fill with bacteria, leading to inflammation, which can result in even more pain.

Grinding or Clenching Your Teeth

Tooth enamel is the strongest material in your body, but it's no match for the power of clenching or grinding. Over time, both of these often-unconscious habits can wear away tooth enamel, leaving your teeth's nerves more vulnerable. Mouth guards, lifestyle changes, and even diet adjustments can all help combat clenching and grinding.

Tooth Decay

Decay, like this cavity, exposes the root of your tooth to a whole host of irritants: hot, cold, sweets, even air

Be Good to Your Mouth

You don't have to go it alone; talk to your local  1300SMILES dentist to discover exactly what's behind your sensitive teeth. To strengthen your pearly whites, you may need to make a few more changes to your oral care routine, like switching to a soft-bristled tooth brush, using a desensitizing toothpaste, or trying a fluoridated mouth rinse.

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