Top 5 Reasons for Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is a very common issue that many people experience. This sensitivity is a problem that can range from slightly irritating to extremely painful. There are five leading causes of tooth sensitivity, but the important thing is that there is a solution to each of these causes!

5) Cavities or Leaking Restorations

If you have a cavity, tooth sensitivity is one of the major symptoms. Likewise, if you had a cavity filled or crowned a long time ago and you now have tooth sensitivity, you may need to get that old filling or crown replaced in order to eliminate the sensitivity.

4) Gingival Recession

Gingival recession is when the gum pulls back from the tooth and can cause tooth sensitivity. Recession can be caused by gum disease, aggressive brushing, bite problems, or clenching your teeth. Some solutions include desensitizers, varnishes, covering the exposed areas with resin, or even sometimes surgical grafting procedure in extreme cases.

3) Stress Cracks

Cracks in your teeth are kind of like a crack in the windshield of your car. They start off small, and they grow over time. The crack will eventually work its way inside the tooth, causing pain from things that are cold or hot. Stress cracks can be caused by tooth grinding, ice crushing or just normal wear and tear. The solution is usually to strengthen the tooth with a crown.

2) Whiting Toothpaste

Most people don't know that most whitening toothpastes do not contain any bleaching agents. What they do contain are more abrasive particles. So, they're good at getting the stain off your teeth, but they strip the enamel off of your teeth. If you use whitening toothpaste consistently, it will expose the more sensitive inner layers of your teeth, causing tooth sensitivity.

1) Bruxism

The number one cause of tooth sensitivity is Bruxism, the clenching and grinding of your teeth at night. Many people who clench and grind their teeth at night have no idea that they're doing it. The reason that this makes your teeth sensitive is because teeth have live nerves inside of them and chronic biting, clenching, and grinding can irritate these nerves, causing the teeth to be sensitive. The solution can be as simple as a mouthguard.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, contact us at Coshocton Dentistry. Even if your sensitivity is mild, it can grow into a bigger problem, if not treated. We have a variety of solutions for all of these issues and can work with you to find the best treatment!