If you find cold or hot drinks cause you to grab your jaw in pain, you may have tooth sensitivity. Your dentists at Family Dentist of Palm Beach, with offices in Royal Palm Beach, Palm Springs, and West Palm Beach, FL, can help diagnose and manage your tooth sensitivity.
What Is Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is an unpleasant sensation that occurs in response to hot or cold drinks or foods. It can also occur due to other stimuli such as sour or sweet foods. Tooth sensitivity results from reaching the dentin layer of the tooth. This may happen due to wearing away of the protective enamel or gum recession.
Common Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
- Aggressive Tooth Brushing - Using a hard-bristled toothbrush or too much force while brushing can wear out your enamel. Brushing violently can also cause your gums to recede which increases your tooth sensitivity.
- Sugar and Acidic Foods - Enamel erosion is a likely result of consuming lots of acidic and sugary foods. Brushing right after acidic or high sugar foods hastens your enamel erosion. Hence, it's best to wait at least an hour after such foods before brushing your teeth.
- Teeth Grinding - Grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw can progressively wear away your enamel, exposing the dentin. Your Royal Palm Beach, FL, dentists with offices in Palm Springs, and West Palm Beach, FL, can help you manage teeth grinding to protect your smile.
- Teeth Whitening - Tooth sensitivity is a possible side effect of teeth whitening products, especially if you use them frequently or misuse them.
- Cracked or Chipped Teeth - The protective enamel of your tooth is compromised in cracked or chipped teeth. This damage makes them vulnerable to infections of your tooth pulp that may cause inflammation and sensitivity.
- Gum Disease - Your gums can withdraw from your teeth, exposing your teeth's root surface if you have gum disease.
- Dental Procedures- Tooth sensitivity can occur right after dental procedures such as tooth cleaning, crown installation, root planing, or dental restoration. This type of sensitivity is typically temporary.
Your Royal Palm Beach, FL, dentists at Family Dentist of Palm Beach, with offices in Palm Springs, and West Palm Beach, FL, can help you treat tooth sensitivity. To schedule your dental consultation, call us at (561) 795-7668 or (561) 582-1911.