If you have ever experienced a sharp pain-like feeling the moment your teeth touch something hot or cold, chances are you suffer from tooth sensitivity. Sensitive teeth is quite a common issue among people nowadays, and it can really hinder your eating habits big time.

Either it is due a lack of good oral habits, smoking habits, or dental problems, you will know a little bit more about it here.

Sensitive teeth, tooth sensitivity – What makes it happen?

First, we must know that what causes tooth sensitivity is a direct contact with our dentin. There are two ways for this to happen:

• When the protective layer around your teeth, the tooth enamel, wears down or chips.
• When the cementum, which is the protective layer of the teeth’s root, wears down from receded gums

By having these protective layers of your teeth weakened or taken away, it results in the dentin getting directly in touch with temperature through drinks or foods.

The dentin itself has many, many microscopic tubes, called dentin tubules, which have in turn have really tiny nerve endings. As such, the sudden change of temperature, as well as acidic foods makes us cringe immediately upon contact.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

As we now know, this is caused by our teeth’s enamel and/or cementum getting worn and exposing the dentin. As such we have to stop just that.

There are whole lot of reasons why your enamel might be wearing down, and these include:

• Brushing your teeth too hard.
• Gum recessions, either due cigarette and tobacco use, or because of age.
• High intake of acidic foods that erode the teeth, as well as starchy and sugary that wear down the enamel.
• Bruxism, which is the act of clenching and grinding your teeth.

To avoid these problems, you have to take care of your enamel, and as such follow these tips:

• If you are using a toothbrush with hard bristles, consider switching to one with soft ones instead. It is possible that by brushing too hard, you are harming your own tooth enamel.
• Avoid high intakes of acidic foods and drinks. This causes a lot of tooth erosion. Make sure to take care of any and all residues through brushing and flossing!
• Avoid grinding your teeth, especially while sleeping. If you find yourself grinding your teeth, our Los Algodones dentists recommend purchasing a mouth guard.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride has been proven to help remineralize the teeth.
• Make sure you do not suffer from xerostomia. Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, makes you very, very susceptible to tooth decay, as saliva plays a huge role in rinsing and in the remineralization of your teeth.

What else can be done about sensitivity?

You can also opt to get treatment by a professional dentist or for at-home treatments. We can assure that these will help relieve and deal with your tooth sensitivity.

In-office treatments will have your dentist examine your mouth to get a solution that fits you perfectly. Since tooth sensitivity is often caused by other issues, they will all be addressed accordingly. The ending result depends on the severity of the problem, either it is by tooth damage, or receding gums.

At-home treatments usually come in the form of tooth pastes. These desensitizing products have a higher concentration of fluoride as well as other components. All in all, they help covering up what the parts where the enamel is missing, and results can be expected in as little as two week.

If you are interested in getting treatment with the best dentists in Los Algodones, Mexico, do not hesitate to contact us. The prices are nicer and more affordable than those in the States and Canada, while keeping the work extremely professional.