A drink of iced tea or
biting down on a candy bar, or slurping some hot soup. If the electric stinging
sensation in one or more of your teeth sends you flying out of your seat.
You've got "sensitive teeth," a rather mild name for what can be a wildly
uncomfortable condition.
By far the most common cause of tooth sensitivity to temperature and sweet
or sour foods is exposed dentin, the hardened tissue just beneath the tooth's
enamel that contains microscopic nerve fibers. Dentin can become exposed as a
result of dental decay, food or toothbrush abrasion, or gum recession.
Regardless of the cause, exposed nerves make the teeth sensitive.
If sensitivity
develops in one or more teeth: first see your dentist to determine the
cause.
Then, if your
sensitivity is caused by simple enamel abrasion or by normal gum recession, try
the following home remedies for relief.
Desensitizing
toothpaste
Fluoride rinse
Keep your teeth clean
Use a soft toothbrush
No chewing or snuff
When to See a Doctor
About Tooth Sensitivity
While you can often self-treat generalized
tooth sensitivity, see your dentist if:
· Teeth
are persistently sensitive to pressure.
· A
single tooth is persistently sensitive, which could indicate that its pulp is
infected or dying.
· Sensitivity
doesn't decrease after two weeks of using desensitizing toothpaste.
· Dental
pain that lasts more than an hour.
· The
gums around a sensitive tooth change color.
· Any
obvious decay.
Early treatment stops the problem in its early
stages, avoiding more painful dental procedures.
