Why Do I Have Sensitive Teeth?

Imagine it’s summertime and you’re out by the pool soaking up the Carrollton, TX heat with a popsicle in–hand. You take a bite into the frozen treat and immediately feel a radiating pain that starts in your mouth and shoots through your jaw like a zap! 

This sudden and extreme reaction to cold (and sometimes hot) foods is common for those who suffer from tooth sensitivity. If this is something you only feel on occasion, you probably won’t feel the need to call your dentist for an emergency appointment. However, if you are a patient at Josey Lane Dentistry, we hope that you will give us a call if anything starts to bother you, because tooth sensitivity could be an indicator of something more serious going on under the surface. Plus, we want you to be comfortable! 

Ouch! What’s hurting? 

The first time you feel that sharp, radiating pain through your teeth, you might be taken aback and wonder if you cracked a tooth or lost a crown. But then, the pain dissipates as fast as it came on. 

Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by dentin on root areas of your teeth sitting exposed due to receded gums or periodontal disease. When the root of a tooth becomes exposed, it does not have a layer of enamel like the crowns of your teeth do. Instead, the roots have a very soft covering called cementum, which once lost, leaves the dentin of the root exposed.  

Pain after hot, cold, sweet or acidic food and drinks can also be a sign of decay with a cavity in the tooth or a sign of a broken tooth, and if this is the case your dentist will need to treat you with a filling.  

If you are of the one in eight patients that experience tooth sensitivity, maybe you’ve tried home remedies before calling your dentists. Garlic is a popular option due to its natural pain reliving properties. Just crush a fresh glove of garlic and mix with salt, then apply to the affected tooth. 

If garlic is a little too much for you, consider using peppermint for its natural numbing properties. A saltwater rinse is also helpful, as it will help your aching teeth as well as promote wound healing and protect your gums. 

Also, check to see what strength of bristle you’re using. Make sure you have a soft-bristled brush and a desensitizing toothpaste. There are several brands of toothpaste for sensitive teeth available. Fluoride treatments and fluoride-heavy toothpastes are another noninvasive treatment options that is applied to the teeth to help strengthen the enamel. 

Bring in the professionals! 

If home remedies aren’t stopping your tooth sensitivity, then it’s definitely time to give us a call at Josey Lane Dentistry. There is no single treatment option that works for everyone. Once we diagnose the underlying cause of the pain, we can tailor a treatment plan to fit your needs.  

Some of our in-office solutions include root canals and surgical gums grafts or bonding that can cover exposed roots. 

Finally, since tooth sensitivity can be the result of tooth grinding, we might recommend a mouth guard to protect your teeth while you sleep. The most important thing to remember is that there is no reason to remain in pain! Call us today.