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    How To Deal With Tooth Sensitivity

    It is going to be very difficult to resist the urge of getting an ice cream when you go by an ice cream joint in the street. You buy one and take a bite. But you feel the pain instead of pleasure the very next moment. You forget about the ice cream and start rubbing a side of the cheek in order to ease the pain. This one is the typical case of tooth sensitivity. It would be worth mentioning here that tooth sensitivity is one of the most common dental issues that people in US suffer from. Around 50% of Americans have this problem at varying levels.

    William Scoles
    by William Scoles

    Community Contributor

    What tooth sensitivity is?

    Tooth sensitivity is a condition which is caused by exposure of affected tooth to hot and cold temperatures. While it is normal for the teeth to feel hotness or coldness at extreme levels, the hypersensitivity is the issue which is commonly generally termed as tooth sensitivity. In extreme cases of hypersensitivity, factors like air and acidity can also cause pain. The pain in these conditions is usually sharp and sudden; but it doesn’t last very long.

    Main Causes Of Tooth Sensitivity

    It is worth mentioning here the layers of the teeth. A tooth is mainly composed of three layers. The outermost layer is known as tooth enamel and it is the one that protects the inner layers of the tooth. The layer beneath the enamel is known as dentin. This layer is composed of relatively soft tissues and it has tiny tubes that lead to the tooth pulp. And tooth pulp is the innermost portion or chamber of the tooth. It is composed of nerves and vessels.

    Sensitivity occurs when tooth enamel is worn down enough so that it doesn’t resist the hotness or coldness from reaching the dentin. Dentin doesn’t stop temperatures from traveling to the tooth pulp which has living nerves. The temperature change and acidity are felt well by the tooth pulp.

    Here, you may wonder how the enamel wears down. A few reasons may include:

    * Brushing teeth too abrasively

    * Consumption of highly acidic foods

    * Grinding of teeth

    * Plaque buildup

    * Going for teeth’s whitening more often

    Dealing with the tooth sensitivity

    Generally, it is not very difficult to deal with the tooth sensitivity. You will just have to be consistent in taking care of your oral health. Here are a few things that you can do in this regard.

    * The first thing that you can do to fight tooth sensitivity is to use the toothpaste for sensitive teeth. The toothpaste you choose should have potassium nitrate and fluoride. Potassium nitrate blocks the tiny tubes in the dentin while fluoride strengthens tooth enamel.

    * Weakening or thinning of enamel is usually the main reason for the tooth sensitivity to occur. Since higher acidity is the major reason, you have to make sure that you are avoiding highly acidic foods and drinks.

    * Teeth grinding can cause serious damage to your teeth. When you grind the teeth, the enamel is worn down. Eventually, the internal layers get exposed. This is exactly what you will not want if you don’t want to get tooth sensitivity.

    * Exposure of your teeth to fluoride is quite necessary to maintain strength of your tooth enamel. You can use fluoridated mouthwash to get fluoride in required amount.

    Apart from everything you do, make sure that you see the dentist the moment you feel pain due to sensitivity. The above mentioned tricks may help you get rid of the tooth sensitivity, at least, for the time being. So, you may be able to make it to the dentist without getting attacked by sharp pain.

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