Sensitive Teeth: Hot / Cold / Pressure..

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.