If you've ever experienced a jolt of pain in your teeth while eating or drinking, you know how painful and irritating tooth sensitivity can be. Sometimes this sensitivity is a genetic disposition, but if this condition develops suddenly it's more likely to be a result of lifestyle, diet and/or hygiene choices. Take a look below to see what you might be doing to affect the sensitivity of your teeth, and ways to help tone down this annoying problem.
- Brushing too hard can cause sensitivity by wearing away at your enamel. It seems to make sense that brushing hard would result in cleaner teeth, but in fact it can scratch and weaken your enamel. Enamel is the tough outer layer of the tooth that protects the softer, more porous insides, called dentine. When this enamel gets eroded, the pathways to the nerves in your teeth are more exposed, leading to pain and discomfort. Dentists recommend using a soft or medium-bristled brush, not a stiff bristles, and brushing gently.
- Gum disease can contribute heavily to tooth sensitivity. Enamel only covers the tooth down to a certain point at the gum line, and gum disease can cause gums to pull away from the teeth, exposing the vulnerable dentine below. Your dentist can tell you if your tooth sensitivity is due to gum disease, and depending on the severity of the condition, will be able to give you advice on repairing your gum health and toning down the sensitivity.b
- A diet high in acidic foods puts your enamel under constant stress. Acidity is one of your biggest enemies when it comes to keeping your enamel strong and intact, as highly acidic foods eat away at enamel. Additionally, sugar in foods is quickly converted to acid by sugar-loving bacteria in the mouth, leading to decay and- you guessed it- enamel erosion. Try to cut back on the sweets and acidic foods you eat throughout the day. Some acidic foods, like fruits, are extremely healthy for your body other than the toll they can take on your teeth, so don't cut them out altogether. Instead, just be smart about when and how you eat them. Have fruit with a meal so that your post-meal brushing takes care of any leftover acidity. Eating cheese along with acidic foods or drinks has also been shown to help reduce the damage by neutralizing the pH inside your mouth and temporarily coating your teeth with a protective waxiness.
- Grinding your teeth can have a variety of negative effects on your health, including headaches, cracked or broken teeth, and of course, sensitivity. A constant grinding or clenching of your teeth can erode enamel over the course of months or years. Tooth grinding, or bruxism, can be a difficult behavior to correct since many people do it unconsciously and/or when they're sleeping. Night guards are available to those who grind their teeth at night- these are small inserts to be worn over the teeth while sleeping to prevent you from clenching them together. If your bruxism might be stress related or you catch yourself doing it during the day, talk to your dentist about how to remind yourself to take it easy on your teeth.