What Your Tooth Sensitivity is Saying About Your Dental Health

If you get sharp pains in your teeth when drinking hot or cold beverages, you are not alone? Tooth sensitivity is a common dental health problem experienced by many individuals and can be caused by a variety of factors. However common, you should not ignore tooth sensitivity. This symptom may be trying to give you important information about your dental health. Read on to find out more about tooth sensitivity and its causes.

If your teeth are sensitive to heat and cold and seem to ache all over, this can be an indication that the protective covering on your teeth (dentin) has been worn away leaving your teeth and/or tooth roots exposed to stimuli. This wearing away of the protective coating (enamel) on your teeth can be caused by consuming highly acidic foods such as wine, citrus fruits and juices, sports drinks and energy drinks. It can also be caused by prolonged exposure to stomach acids as a result of uncontrolled acid reflux or bulimia. In this case, your dentist may recommend special toothpastes, rinses or other products that treat tooth sensitivity. There are also some products on the market that can be used to strengthen your teeth’s enamel. If your tooth erosion is being caused by bulimia or acid reflux, your dentist may recommend that you visit your doctor and get treatment for the underlying medical condition that is causing your symptoms.

If you have a sharp pain in a specific tooth, this could be a sign of tooth decay or infection. In this case, it is important to visit your dentist as soon as possible. You may need a simple dental filling to treat a cavity. However, if the decay has progressed to the point of weakening the structure of the tooth, you may require a dental crown. If the nerve and pulp on the inside of the tooth is infected, root canal therapy may be needed to remove the infected portion and seal the tooth to prevent further infection. Failure to seek timely treatment for an infected tooth can lead to more serious and painful dental problems including an abscessed tooth.

Ignoring tooth sensitivity and/or tooth pain can only lead to expensive and painful dental health problems. If you are experiencing pain or sensitivity in an individual tooth or all of your teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. After a thorough evaluation, you dentist can recommend the most appropriate method of treating your symptoms and the underlying cause of your pain.