What Causes Teeth to be Sensitive?

Tooth sensitivity can be caused both by warm or cold food and drinks. If you experience pain after drinking your favorite cup of hot coffee that helps motivate you through your morning, or from eating some of your favorite gelato. You could be one of the many people that experience tooth sensitivity. What is causes tooth sensitivity you ask?  Well, we will talk about some of the things that contribute to this issue.

What causes Sensation Detection in our Teeth?

Our teeth have 3 layers of protection that helps them to stay strong and let us know when something is not okay? These 3 layers consist of Enamel, Dentin, and the core, which contain a vast amount of nerves and microscopic tubules that connect all 3 of the tooth’s layers. With all 3 of these areas being connected by the tubules, they can send signals to the nerves allow us to detect when there is an issue with our teeth.

Common Causes for Tooth Sensitivity

There can be a variety of causes for tooth sensitivity, but remember, always check with your dentist if you experience any of these symptoms. Some of these causes can be contributed to the wear and tear on our enamel. When the tubules and nerves become exposed at the surface the pulp starts to become more sensitive then what it is used too. When this happens, it is a pretty good indication that you are becoming susceptible to enamel erosion. Without the correct thickening of enamel, the nerves tend to become shocked when they encounter hot, cold, sweet or sour substances.  Exposure of the root also contributes to increased sensitivity. If your gums are not healthy and are receding, the roots become exposed to potential damage by the things we consume. If not treated properly cavities and other injuries can occur and cause permeant damage.

Tools that Help Protect Your Teeth

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, there are a variety of tools that can help you protect your teeth.  Using soft bristle toothbrushes, and toothpaste that is specially formulated to help you battle tooth sensitivity is a great way to prevent further damage from occurring. Also, watching what you eat helps too!  Avoiding sugary and acidic foods and drinks will help protect your teeth in the long run. Also, scheduling regular appointments with your dentist to stay on top of any underlining problems is another great way to protect your teeth for years to come.Esthetic Family Dentistry is a leading dentist in Colorado Springs. We can help you with this issue as well as many other dental procedures to help you with your smile, oral health, and teeth. Call our offices today to make an appointment.