Bayside woman with sensitive teeth
General Dental

Do you get a sharp pain in your teeth when eating, drinking, or even breathing? You’re not alone.

So, what’s causing your sensitive teeth, and are your habits making it worse?

Read on to find out the common causes of sensitive teeth and how to spot the mistakes that might be making your tooth sensitivity worse.

Common symptoms of sensitive teeth

Any pain you feel in your teeth is a sign you need to manage your sensitive teeth. Some common signs of tooth sensitivity include:

  • Sharp pain when consuming hot or cold foods and drinks
  • Discomfort when eating sweet or acidic foods and drinks
  • Pain when brushing or flossing

By knowing the triggers and symptoms, you can start managing your sensitive teeth. This helps you learn to control and reduce the symptoms.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

It’s important to know why your teeth have become sensitive. Here are some common reasons for sensitive teeth:

  • Worn tooth enamel
  • Gum recession
  • Teeth grinding
  • Untreated tooth decay
  • Aggressive tooth brushing
  • Excessive consumption of acidic foods and drinks

Six daily habits that are damaging your teeth’s protective layer

Every day, you might be hurting your teeth’s protective layer (known as enamel) without knowing it. This can lead to tooth sensitivity. To fix this, you need to spot and stop these habits.

Fixing sensitive teeth often means fixing what causes the sensitivity. Common habits that harm your teeth include:

  • Brushing too hard, which can wear away the enamel
  • Frequent eating or drinking of acidic things, like citrus fruits/drinks, soft drinks and sports drinks amongst others
  • Grinding or clenching your teeth, which can cause tiny cracks or bruising of the nerve
  • Not brushing or flossing well enough resulting in gum inflammation which then contributes to tooth sensitivity
  • Whitening your teeth too much, which can remove enamel

Treatment options

If you have sensitive teeth, it’s important not ignore it, but to see your local dentist for help. A dentist can check your teeth for any underlying conditions that may be causing the sensitivity and recommend the most appropriate treatment options.

More often than not, the cause is reversible and easily manageable when caught early. In these cases, your dentist might suggest using special toothpaste, dental bonding, fluoride treatment or simply adjusting your habits at home. They might even suggest other causes such as a gastrointestinal reflux problem requiring further medical assessment.

It is also important for your dentist to confirm that your symptoms are just due to sensitivity from the above causes and not from tooth decay requiring either a filling or in extreme cases root canal treatment. Getting professional help will ensure your teeth stay healthy and stop the pain when eating and drinking.

If you have sensitive teeth, we can help. Contact the team at Hampton Beach Dentists on 03 95985666 to make an appointment and get relief from tooth sensitivity.