Maybe you've taken a swig of a cold beverage and winced at the pain of the cold in your teeth. Maybe you've taken a breath on a cold day and felt a jolt as the air hit your teeth. Maybe you've found yourself unable to enjoy a cup of hot tea without that annoying pain, forcing you to sip every sip. If any of these situations sound familiar, you may be dealing with tooth sensitivity.
There are many reasons for discomfort, says Mark S. Wolf, DDS, PhD, professor and chairman of the Department of Caries and Comprehensive Dental Care at New York University School of Dentistry. When you expose the structure or root of one or more teeth, which is normally covered by gum tissue, this layer just below the root contains millions of tiny tubules—sensory transmitters—each of which connects to a nerve ending. When the tubules are left unprotected by receding gums or enamel erosion, problems can arise. This can be caused by gum recession, teeth grinding, a diet high in acidic beverages, or being overly aggressive with your toothbrush, which can leave all of your dentin—the roots of your teeth—exposed.
Improper brushing is the main culprit behind this discomfort for many people, says Wolf. “The harsh blows that are directed at the gum tissue as well as the enamel layer that covers the teeth, leave each little tubule of dentin exposed to whatever comes in contact with the outside world — cold and hot, soft and hard.”
Your favorite beverages can be a big problem, too. Anything high in acid—soda, coffee, tea, almost all juices, wine, and many popular energy drinks—can worsen enamel erosion and discomfort, Wolf says. Be careful with flavorings, which can be citric acid, and problems can arise if you continue to drink these beverages, such as lemonade or pickles. “You have to be careful with these things, or you don’t want to experience unnecessary pain,” he says.
Dentin can also become angry – irritated – if you overdo it with teeth whitening agents, which contain harsh ingredients to strip away stains. Unfortunately, they can leave behind a thin layer of enamel, leaving us at risk for pain.
If you suffer from severe sensitivity, you can talk to your dentist about the matter. There are simple solutions that can help you, such as spraying a thin layer over your teeth. This does not have a long-term effect, but it reduces the pain you feel now.
