If you wince at cold and hot foods or beverages, then it’s a sign you are dealing with tooth sensitivity. It’s a common dental issue that affects many people for various reasons. In today’s blog post, we’re sharing some causes of tooth sensitivity and how we can help you. 

Causes for Tooth Sensitivity

Whether it’s due to wear and tear, injury, or bad oral care habits, there are a variety of reasons you are dealing with sensitive teeth:

  • Worn Enamel

Your enamel protects the underlying dentin, leading to the tooth’s nerves. If the enamel has begun to wear down, the dentin becomes exposed, making the tooth more sensitive. Erosion of your enamel may be caused by teeth-grinding habits, hard brushing, or having an abundance of acidic foods and drinks.

  • Gum Recession

If your gums have started to recede, it can expose your tooth roots. These roots have nerves that can lead to the pain of sensitive teeth. A variety of reasons, such as gum disease, hard brushing, genetics, and smoking, can cause gum recession. 

  • Tooth Decay

If tooth decay has progressed, it can lead to sensitivity as it reaches the pulp of your tooth. In addition, when you have an increase of bacteria in your mouth, whether it’s due to poor oral hygiene or too many sugary foods and beverages, it leads to plaque build-up on your teeth. Unless you visit a dentist for a cleaning to remove this plaque, it can cause a cavity.

  • Cracked or Chipped Teeth

If you have cracked or chipped a tooth, that can trigger tooth sensitivity. This problem can happen from teeth grinding or clenching, an injury, or natural wear and tear.

How We Can Help Your Tooth Sensitivity

First, we’ll start by determining the cause of the sensitivity. Then, depending on the reason, we may recommend the following treatments:

  • Fluoride Treatments – We can apply a fluoride varnish to your teeth to strengthen your enamel. It can reduce sensitivity and prevent further decay.
  • Dental Fillings – If tooth decay or a minor injury is causing the sensitivity, we can perform a filling to restore your teeth.
  • Gum Recession Treatment – If a receding gumline has caused the sensitivity, we’ll first ensure your gums are healthy. Then, we’ll recommend a procedure to replenish your gum line to cover the exposed tooth roots.
  • Root Canal – If the tooth’s pulp is infected or damaged, we can perform a root canal to remove the damaged nerve and restore the tooth.

There are a variety of causes of tooth sensitivity, but whatever the reason, we can provide treatments to alleviate the problem. Most importantly, if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, don’t ignore it! Schedule an appointment to address the issue.

Call Houston Uptown Dentists at 832-463-1021 for an appointment in Houston, TX, or schedule online.