Jim Barnes
Medical Content Writer
Dr. Guzin
Medical Reviewer
If you experience annoying or sudden pain sensations in your teeth from hot or cold foods, or notice your teeth becoming increasingly sensitive for unclear reasons.
We will help investigate why while detailing self-care remedies to manage symptoms alongside professional treatment options for lasting relief.
What is Teeth Sensitivity?
Dentinal hypersensitivity refers to sharp temporary tooth pain or discomfort arising from exposed dentin layers when contacting various food and drink temperatures, acidic items or even breathing cold air.Â
Hot coffee, ice cream, wine or fruit elicit jolts of sensitivity differently than neutral items. The precise pain often proves difficult to isolate to a single affected tooth even for dentists.
- Possible Causes:
While molars comprise thicker protective enamel layers, incisors and canines feature thinner coverings that gradually erode over time from aggressive brushing, abrasive compounds or acidic diets.Â
The softer inner dentin material then becomes exposed causing sensitivity and pain through open tubules. Receding inflamed gums also expose these channels.
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Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?
A multitude of factors provoke temperature or pressure-induced dental sensitivity:
- Gum recession and root exposure
- Tooth decay and dental caries reaching inner layers
- Cracks or micro-fractures from chronic grinding/clenching
- Improper abrasive brushing wearing down enamel
- Acidic food and drinks eroding enamel over time
- Recent in-office whitening procedures
- Recent dental work like crowns, fillings or implants
What Causes Sudden Tooth Sensitivity?
If intense tooth sensitivity arises out of the blue, potential causes include:
- Fractured, chipped or cracked tooth
- New dental restorations aggravating nerves
- Loose fillings or crowns exposing dentin
- Damaged nerves following oral surgery
- Sinus infections or tooth abscess
Does Sensitive Tooth Mean Infection?
Not necessarily, although untreated advanced tooth decay can ultimately penetrate deep enough to hit the inner pulp chamber housing nerves and blood vessels – becoming infected. Abscesses require immediate treatment including potential root canals or extractions before spreading. However other aforementioned factors commonly provoke sensitivity well before infection stages.
- Care and Treatment:
Treating underlying causes of dental sensitivity while managing painful symptoms remains key.
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Can Sensitive Tooth Pain Go Away?
Sometimes sensitivity arises transiently if teeth are responding to intense thermal variations before adjusting. However when enamel erosion, gum recession or micro-cracks trigger the nerves, the condition tends to worsen without intervention.
Patients before & after results
How Do You Stop Sensitive Teeth Pain?
- Use desensitizing toothpaste containing ingredients like strontium chloride, stannous fluoride or potassium nitrate to calm nerve reactions.
- Brush gently with soft bristled brush avoiding abrasives.
- Rinse acidic foods/drinks off teeth shortly after eating.
- Have dentist apply in-office desensitizing varnish sealants.
- Try antiseptic/analgesic oral rinses like Biotene for temporary numbing.
- For severe cases, professional bonding or grafting treatments better cover exposed root areas.
When to Call the Doctor?
- If intense sensitivity arises suddenly without a food/drink trigger
- You also notice tooth discoloration or swelling
- Sensitivity worsens significantly despite self-care
- It affects your quality of life or normal functions
Seeking professional assessment is wise to determine next phases of treatment before further dental deterioration.
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Ways to Keep Your Mouth Healthy
Practice excellent oral hygiene and smart dietary habits to defend against sensitivity triggers long-term:
- Maintain meticulous twice daily brushing
- Floss daily to avoid damaging gums
- Use non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste
- Drink acidic drinks through straws
- Avoid smacking or grinding teeth
- See dentist twice annually
What users are Saying?
Conclusion
In summary, temperature and pressure-induced dental sensitivity arises from a confluence of genetic, behavioral and environmental factors eroding protective tooth layers then aggravating nerves.
Implementing self-care best practices plus professional sealing treatments can together relieve discomfort, halt advancing sensitivity, restore form and function, and prevent the problem from progressing into irreversible pulp infections requiring root canals. Partner closely with your dentist.
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Dr. Guzin
MEDICAL REVIEWER
Dr. Guzin KırsaçlıoÄŸlu graduated from Ankara Dental School in 1982 and opened her own practice. Dr.Kirsaçlioglu completed her Master’s in Cosmetic Dentistry at New York University in 2011 as well as annual continuing education courses on dental implants in France, Germany, Spain, and Israel. Today, Dr. Kirsaçlioglu is an internationally recognized, multidisciplinary dental professional running a dental practice with a staff of 18.Â
She is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Turkish Dental Association (TDB), European Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (EAED), American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AAD) and the European Association for Osseointegration (EAO).
She has authored numerous dental related articles covering the topics of both dental implants and dental aesthetics. When not treating patients, Dr Kirsaçlioglu volunteers in rural villages, teaching children about good oral health and preventative dental care.
