Are your teeth sensitive? Teeth can become sensitive for many reasons. Here are the 10 biggest causes of tooth sensitivity.
- You brush too hard. Overtime you can wear down the protective layer of your teeth. When this happens it exposes microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your nerves, making you sensitive to; hot, cold, sweets, acids.
- You eat acidic foods. This also wears down the protective layer of your teeth, making the nerves more accessible.
- You are a tooth grinder. Grinding your teeth wears down your enamel, eventually exposing your hollow tubes that lead to your nerves. Dr. Bomstad and Dr. Karban can help you with grinding by making you a custom bite guard.
- You use tooth-whitening toothpaste. Tooth-whitening toothpaste contains chemicals that can make your teeth more sensitive.
- You use a lot of mouthwash. Like tooth-whitening toothpaste, mouthwash also contains chemicals, as well as alcohol, that can make your teeth sensitive. If you use a mouthwash, try a neutral fluoride rinse.
- You have gum disease. Receding gums from gun disease (or from brushing too hard) can cause sensitive teeth. Having routine cleanings by one of our talented hygienists helps prevent gum disease.
- You have excess plaque. Excess plaque can cause your enamel to wear away, making teeth more sensitive. Routine flossing and brushing are important to prevent plaque buildup.
- You have had a dental procedure. Frequently, patients have some sensitivity after a big dental procedure, this should disappear after a short period of time.
- Your tooth is cracked. A cracked or chipped tooth can involve more than just tooth sensitivity. It is always important to have your cracked or chipped tooth evaluated by Dr. Bomstad or Dr. Karban.
- There is decay around the edge of a filling. Your fillings can weaken, break down or crack as they age. This allows bacteria to get trapped next to your tooth, eroding the enamel, causing a sensitive tooth. This can easily be fixed by having the filling replaced.
Did you know the toothpaste you use makes a huge difference for your sensitive teeth? At Bomstad Dental they carry a variety of prescription toothpastes that can help with sensitive teeth. One of the toothpastes they carry, Colgate PreviDent 5000 for sensitive teeth, contains more fluoride and potassium nitrate than regular toothpaste, which increases resistance to acids and enhances penetration of fluoride into the tooth enamel. If you would like to discuss your sensitive teeth and see if a prescription toothpaste is the right answer for you, call or click HERE to make an appointment to see Dr. Bomstad or Dr. Karban. 952-938-7746