If you’re experiencing tooth pain problems of varying degrees from certain foods, drinks or as a result of cold or hot temperatures then you may have sensitive teeth. Hawthorn East Dental knows this is a common problem and surprisingly, it can happen to anyone regardless of age.
What causes teeth to be sensitive?
In order to understand what causes your tooth or teeth to be sensitive, we can first look at the anatomy of a tooth.
Teeth are made up of a number of components which are as such (starting from the bottom of the tooth):
- Root End Opening
- Root Canal
- Pulp
- Dentin
- Enamel
Generally, the areas of the tooth can be referred to as the root and the crown.
The crown is the white part of the tooth you can see and the root sits below the gum line. Your teeth are made up of 4 tissues:
- Cementum
The cementum covers the root of the tooth and helps attach your teeth to the jaw bones
- Pulp
The Pulp sits in the centre of your tooth, is made up of nerves, blood and vessels and nourishes the tooth.
- Dentin
Dentin is a softer layer which supports enamel and helps absorb pressure when eating.
- Enamel
The Enamel covers the crown and protects the tooth for every day use.
When dentin enamel, which is what protect it, is lost, the tubules in the tooth dentin allow cold and heat or acidic or sticky foods to stimulate the cells and nerves inside the tooth, causing sensitivity.
Fix Sensitive Teeth
Using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help reduce sensitivity after several applications. Depending on the damage to enamel, you may be considered for cosmetic applications which requires a resin bond, surgery or even a root canal.
Hawthorn East Dental has a team of highly qualified dentists who will review your oral hygiene to assess your tooth enamel and make the appropriate recommendation for your individual circumstances.
Reducing the Impact of Sensitive Teeth
There are other ways to help reduce tooth sensitivity. A good oral hygiene routine is a great place to start. Brush twice a day using a soft toothbrush and floss. Ensure you have regular dental maintenance appointments, which Hawthorn East Dental can recommend (for a regular clean and check up schedule).
Looking after your oral health will reduce inflamed gums, plaque build up and other oral health issues.
Avoiding certain foods and beverages can assist with reducing wear on the enamel.
We encourage you, if you have young children, to eat foods that will strengthen the tooth enamel to help reduce sensitive teeth in the future.
