Why Sensitive Teeth When Brushing Hurts a Lot?

Do you feel pain when you brush your teeth? Do you feel discomfort after taking a bite of ice cream or eating hot soup? You are not alone. Aside from being a sign of Cavity, these symptoms are also common among people with sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity is the feeling of pain or discomfort in the teeth as a response to certain stimuli. This problem can be temporary or chronic, and it can affect one tooth or several teeth. It has different causes, but most sensitive teeth cases are easily treated with a change in oral hygiene regimen.

Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth

People with sensitive teeth may experience discomfort or pain as a response to certain triggers. You can feel pain at the roots of the affected teeth with triggers such as hot and cold food and beverages; cold air and water; sweet and acidic food and beverages; alcohol-abased mouth rinses; and brushing or flossing teeth. The symptoms can range from mild to intense and can come and go for no obvious reason.

Causes of Sensitive Teeth

There are people who have naturally more sensitive than others because of their thinner enamel, which is the outer layer that protects the tooth. In most cases, the enamel can be worn down from using a hard toothbrush; brushing the teeth too hard; excessive eating and drinking of acidic food and drinks, and teeth grinding.

Sometimes, certain conditions can lead to tooth sensitivity. One example is GERD or gastroesophageal reflux, which causes acid to come up from the stomach to the esophagus, wearing down the teeth. Conditions causing frequent vomiting like bulimia and gastroparesis can cause acid to wear the enamel down. Another example is gum recession which can leave parts of a tooth exposed and unprotected, leading to sensitivity.

Chipped teeth, broken teeth, tooth decay, and worn-down crowns and fillings can expose the dentin, causing sensitivity. In such cases, you will feel sensitivity on just one tooth or a particular region in the mouth. You can also temporarily feel tooth sensitivity after dental work like teeth bleaching or getting crowns or fillings. The sensitivity is usually confined to the treated tooth or the teeth surrounding it and should subside in just a few days.

Diagnosis of Sensitive Teeth

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity for the first time, schedule an appointment with your dentist. They will look into the overall health of your teeth, and check for problems that can be causing the sensitivity like loose fillings, recessed gums, and cavities. Routine dental cleanings offer the best opportunity to get a visual exam and check for sensitivity. dentists can order an x-ray to rule out possible causes like cavities.

Treatment of Sensitive Teeth

For mild tooth sensitivity, over-the-counter dental treatments can work. Pick toothpaste specifically made for sensitive teeth. These products do not contain any irritating ingredients and can have desensitizing ingredients that block the traveling of discomfort to the nerves in the tooth. When buying mouthwashes, go with alcohol-free mouth rinses since they are less irritating to the teeth.

It helps to use soft toothbrushes and brush more gently. It can take several applications for these remedies to work, but you should see some improvement in a week. If none of these treatments work, your dentist can give you a prescription for mouthwash or toothpaste. In-office fluoride gel or desensitizing agents can help strengthen the enamel.

Outlook for Sensitive Teeth

If you are finding it hard to eat because of your sensitive teeth, talk to your dentist about looking for a solution. There are lots of over-the-counter toothpaste and mouthwashes are specially made for sensitive teeth. If none of these work, make an appointment with your dentist if you experience symptoms of root damage or cavities so treatment can be done immediately and any complications are prevented.