Is Your Tooth Sensitivity Normal or Something to Be Concerned About?

You take a sip of that ice-cold drink, and suddenly, there’s a sharp pain! It can happen to anyone with sensitive teeth, and sudden tooth sensitivity can be alarming. As quickly as it comes, the pain recedes and you find yourself asking, “is this normal?”

Fortunately, in most cases, a quick jolt can be nothing to worry about. It’s a lot like when your dog climbs into bed and pokes you in the back with their cold nose! The jolt is more alarming than it is painful… unless you’re someone suffering from dentin hypersensitivity.

For patients suffering from dentin hypersensitivity, recurring tooth pain can be very uncomfortable. Here are some tips for identifying this condition and measures you can take to protect yourself against sharp, shooting pains associated with your sensitive teeth.

What causes sensitive teeth?

For most people, sensitive teeth are a natural part of aging. The older you get, the more the enamel on your teeth wears down. When that top layer of enamel begins to erode, it exposes the layer of dentin beneath. The dentin layer of your teeth connects to the nerves inside the tooth. As a result, when substances like cold ice cream touch the dentin, the result is sensitivity – that sharp jolt of pain or discomfort you know all too well.

More often than not, dentin sensitivity becomes more frequent as you age. That said, if you’re consistently bothered by your sensitive teeth, visit a dentist. Your teeth’s sensitivity could be a sign of a larger dental issue like a worn filling, cavity, gum disease, exposed roots or a chipped tooth.

Dentin hypersensitivity

If your dentist examines your mouth and determines there’s no larger issue at play, you could have a condition known as dentin hypersensitivity. This affliction results in shots of sharp pain when eating hot or cold foods – ice cream and coffee, for example. One of the biggest triggers for people with dentin hypersensitivity is ice – specifically when it slides forward to hit your teeth while you’re drinking! A variety of stimuli beyond temperature can trigger the condition as well, including carbonated beverages, sugary foods, overzealous brushing and stomach acids (acid reflux).

Sometimes dentin hypersensitivity is an intermittent problem; sometimes it’s constant. Either way, if extreme mouth pain is stopping you from enjoying yourself, talk to your dentist about your options.

Managing your sensitive teeth

Once you’ve been diagnosed with dentin hypersensitivity, your oral health pro may recommend one of the following strategies for fighting back against tooth sensitivity:

• Desensitizing toothpaste can numb the nerves in your teeth and block tooth pain.
• A dentist-applied fluoride solution can help regrow or strengthen tooth enamel.
• If an exposed root is the cause of hypersensitivity, a gum graft or bonding resin may help.

Often, lifestyle changes can also help. This might mean identifying major triggers and avoiding them or changing your oral care regimen to address tooth sensitivity through targeted care. Your dentist or periodontist will advise.

If your tooth sensitivity has progressed to a point where you require intensive care, schedule an appointment with Levenson Periodontal Associates. Our team of experts is ready to guide you toward the best solution to managing your hypersensitive teeth.