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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Causes Behind Tooth Sensitivity

Sensitive teeth is a very common problem nowadays. If you feel dental pain and discomfort when eating ice-cream, biting a chocolate bar or sipping your morning coffee, as well as while brushing or flossing, there is a probability that your tooth sensitivity increased. Sensitive teeth can make you hate your favorite meals and turn your life into a misery. Fortunately, modern dental technologies can solve this problem very effectively, but in order to receive lasting effects of any treatment, it is essential to find out the roots of the problem.

There is a number of causes of tooth sensitivity (also called as dentin hypersensitivity). In the majority of the cases, the problems start when the gums that cover our tooth roots reduce and make our underlying teeth tissues (dentin) exposed. Those tissues are not as strong as tooth enamel or cementum, therefore, our dental nerves can be stimulated easily. That is why drinking or eating hot, cold, acidic or sweet meals causes pain and hypersensitivity.

The main causes of tooth sensitivity can be put to the following:

•It is estimated that about 60-90% of tooth sensitivity is caused by improper and too hard brushing, or brushing with too hard brush. This frequently causes gum recession and dentin exposure.
•Untreated cavities and plague also lead to sensitive teeth.
•Gum disease and dental inflammation that is linked to gum disease may cause reduction of supporting ligaments, resulting in exposure of the tissues under the gum line.
•Due to poor oral hygiene, tartar can from at the gum line, making tooth root more sensitive.
•Experts say that prolonged mouthwash use can also cause sensitive teeth.
•Tooth cracks, as well as cracks or leakage of old feelings can bring to increased tooth sensitivity.
•Regular dental procedures, including gum surgery, tooth restoration, crown placement, etc., can make the tooth root exposed.
•Excessive tooth whitening frequently leads to increased tooth sensitivity.
•Bad habits like teeth clenching or grinding can wear out tooth enamel and bring to tooth sensitivity.
•Consuming too much of acidic foods and beverages is another factor that can cause enamel erosion and sensitive teeth.
•Specialists say that age also can play a role: it is estimated that tooth sensitivity peaks at the age 25-30.
•Pregnancy and PMS are connected with increased tooth sensitivity in most of women.

1 comment:

  1. I have a sensitive tooth so i changed my toothpaste to a sensitive one which helps little bit. I had a filling done close to that tooth and that may be what triggered it.
    Pharmacy

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