What Causes Sensitive Teeth? What Treatments Are Available?

Our topic of the day is a two-parter. We will first try to understand the causes of a quite widespread problem, which is sensitive teeth. It is indeed difficult, even unrealistic to incriminate one single factor here. Then we will see what kind of measures can be taken in order to combat tooth sensitivity. Fortunately for all of us, there are many efficient treatments available nowadays.

Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?

This is probably a question that keeps spinning in your mind if you happen to suffer from any form of tooth sensitivity. You may have noticed one or several of the following triggers, meaning that your discomfort appears most of the time after exposure to:

• Hot foods and beverages
• Cold foods and beverages
• Acidic foods and beverages
• Sweet foods and beverages
• Alcohol-based mouthwashes
• Toothbrushing and/or flossing
• Some weather conditions such as wind

Those may however not be the direct culprits. So for example:

• Some bucco-dental issues like fragilized enamel, gum recession, decayed/chipped teeth, worn-out fillings, etc. can explain your tooth sensitivity to cold. 
• Similar reasons along with excessive or at least too frequent sugar intake can cause tooth sensitivity to sugar.
• Genetic and hereditary factors shouldn’t be underestimated either. In effect, some people are born with naturally thinner thus more sensitive teeth.
• Aggressive oral hygiene is another frequent cause. You may be brushing and flossing your teeth too harshly. The same goes for over-the-counter products (whitening pens, etc.): They may contain certain ingredients potentially harmful to your teeth and gums. 
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) can transmit excess acid from the stomach and esophagus. Similarly, cyclic vomiting syndrome, anaphylaxis, gastroparesis, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa are among the conditions that provoke frequent vomiting. This results in overexposure to acid inside the mouth and consequently, enamel damage.
• Since we have mentioned a few disorders that also involve mental health, let’s add that teeth grinding (bruxism) can also fragilize the teeth.
• Post-treatment sensitivity. Some dental treatments may cause discomfort too. Tooth sensitivity after filling and tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening are typical examples. However, these kinds of sensitivity are usually temporary and/or involve only a small portion of the buccal cavity (that is, the treated areas).

Tooth Sensitivity Treatment

As you see, there may be several factors responsible for sensitive teeth. Moreover, the discomfort may appear progressively or be somewhat chronic, as opposed to acute or sudden tooth sensitivity. The latter may be due to specific circumstances (e.g., dental treatment) or even a physical shock (e.g., accident). Only a consultation with your dentist can help determine the real cause. Afterward, there are several possibilities:

• Your dentist can prescribe toothpaste for sensitive teeth and/or new oral hygiene habits to adopt (e.g., a new and more adapted toothbrush).
• They may apply fluoride varnishes to exposed root surfaces, ensuring an anti-sensitivity barrier.
• In GERD cases, a prescription of acid reducers along with a change in the patient’s diet can solve or reduce the problem.
• Some specific conditions such as anorexia nervosa or bruxism will also require psychiatric treatment and/or psychotherapy.

FAQs on Tooth Sensivity