What are sensitive teeth?
Sensitive teeth usually cause pain with hot or cold food and drinks. It can also be that your teeth can be sensitive when touched. The sensitivity can eventually lead to pain or a nagging feeling. Almost everyone goes to the dentist because they have sensitive teeth. This is also the most common pain complaint in a dental practice.
A sensitive tooth has an effect on external stimuli, often from hot or cold, through intense pain that penetrates deep into the roots of the teeth and molars. There is also another form of sensitive teeth, which responds to pressure through a pain or dull ache.
Teeth is sensitive to cold and hot when eating or drinking
Many people sometimes suffer from this problem: sensitive tooth necks. The tooth can be very painful after eating or drinking cold or hot food or drinks. Severe pain can occur if it penetrates deep into the root. Usually there is not really a difference between hot or cold: the pain feels equally intense. Sometimes it can also be that cold generates more stimuli than hot. Sweetness can also cause pain.
It is best to brush with a toothpaste for sensitive tooth necks. Such toothpaste contains special substances that close off the canals, so that the nerves are no longer stimulated. In addition, the dental hygienist or dentist can provide more information about which toothpaste suits you best. Sensodyne is usually advised as a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Sensitive tooth necks cannot always be prevented: As you age, the gums recede and the necks gradually become exposed. It is therefore important to brush your gums carefully so that you do not brush them away. It is also important that young people are already taught this to prevent gums that have been pulled away at a later age. Below I will explain things more specifically about receding gums.
Sensitive teeth due to receding gums
One of the most recognizable causes of sensitive teeth is receding gums, which exposes the dental bone completely. Tooth bone is not hard and has a less dense structure than enamel itself. There are many small canals in the dentine, these are called tubules that run towards the nerve. Due the receding of gums, the tubili can be stimulated by touching something cold, warm, sour or by sweet things.
Sensitive teeth after a filling
After filling and drilling a tooth or molar there is sometimes also an increased sensitivity of a tooth or molar. Hot and cold in particular are clearly noticeable. In some cases it may also be the case that this sensitivity disappears automatically. It may take around four to five weeks, in some cases it may even take up to six weeks. If the pain really does not subside and maybe even gets worse, then something else is most likely going on with your tooth or molar. It is then very important and wise to make an appointment at the dentist.
Sensitive teeth after bleaching
Bleaching ensures that your teeth become whiter. Bleaching is an intensive treatment to the teeth, which can also be painful. After such a treatment, people sometimes complain about the pain and sensitivity of the teeth. The sensitivity is expressed by pain in hot and cold.
Brushing your teeth with Sensodyne can reduce sensitivity better. If you get such sensitivity after whitening your teeth, it is advisable not to have your teeth whitened as often or to whiten yourself. Such a sensitivity should normally decrease within 7 to 14 days after bleaching and disappear automatically. If the sensitivity does not go away, it is advisable to go to the dental hygienist or dentist.
Sensitive teeth after alcohol
It may also be that you can get sensitive teeth after drinking alcohol. The sensitivity usually remains one to three days. Two factors can be the cause of this. Firstly, for example, acids in wine, can damage the tooth enamel, which means you can get sensitive teeth. Brushing your teeth immediately after drinking alcoholic beverages can also affect the tooth enamel. Sensitive tooth necks can also react very strongly to cold drinks. brushing your teeth with a special toothpaste for sensitive tooth necks is recommended.
Alcohol causes many people to sleep restlessly and unknowingly clamp their jaws together in their sleep. This can ultimately cause a lot of pain the next morning, the pain can usually last for one to three days.
Sensitive teeth by acidic foods
The chemical action of acids causes erosion. This removes the enamel layer of the teeth, making the dentin is exposed. So be moderate with fruit juices, sour fruit, soft drinks such as cola, jam, wine and sports drinks. If you find it very difficult, at least limit the damage by drinking a glass of water / milk afterwards. This helps to neutralize the harmful acids.
Sensitive teeth by rinsing with mouthwash too often
Do you always try to keep your breath fresh with mouthwash? Beware, by using it too often in one day you can also get sensitive teeth. Some types of mouthwash contain acids. This is very annoying for people who already have problems with sensitive teeth. It is best to ask your dental hygienist or dentist for neutral mouthwash.
Sensitive teeth after a root canal treatment
With a root canal treatment, where the nerve is removed from the root canal and the space is filled, a tooth sensitivity may also occur. It may be that this sensitivity persists for a few weeks. It is an aftereffect of the treatment and it is also usually harmless.
For example, it may also be that a root canal treatment is not done properly, so that something is left behind. This can also make the teeth sensitive. This is often noticeable with a hot or cold, but sometimes also with pressure against the tooth, such as biting an (for example) apple. If the pain does not disappear or gets worse, it is very important to go to the dentist. The dentist can then check whether the root canal is properly clean.