Are you familiar with that sudden sharp pain in your teeth, which is more or less like a shock, whenever your teeth come into contact with things like cold water, or sweet food? That’s called tooth sensitivity. This issue happens to a lot of people, making eating such a hassle.
Tooth sensitivity happens because the protective layer of the teeth called the enamel, wears away, which causes the dentin underneath it to be exposed. When this layer is exposed, you begin to feel sensations which reach each nerve inside your teeth, giving it that uncomfortable touch.
Signs of Tooth Sensitivity
- Discomfort in the teeth
- A sharp, sudden pain in your teeth
- Sensitivity when your teeth are touched or when you bite into a food
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
If you’ve ever felt that sudden jolt of pain when eating something sweet or cold, then you know exactly what I mean. But what causes this sensation? That’s pretty much one of the first thoughts that comes to our head when we experience sensitivity in our teeth.
Dental Erosion: This is one of the biggest causes of tooth sensitivity which happens when your enamel gets worn out. This can be because of taking things like acidic drinks (sodas and citrus juice), wine, including having health issues like bulimia or acid reflux. Over time, these acids weaken your teeth, making them more sensitive.
Thinning Enamel: This happens if you brush your teeth too hard, grind your teeth a lot without even realizing it, or even as a result of old age. As the enamel wears down, it doesn’t protect your teeth as they should, which leaves the dentin exposed.
Exposed Dentin: If your gums start to recede, the sensitive part of your teeth called the dentin gets exposed over time. This also happens in cases where cavities form once the dentin is out in the open. Even simple things like cold air or a sip of hot coffee can cause an intense sensation that reaches the nerves inside the teeth.
Other Factors: Tooth sensitivity is more common than you think. It is that way because sometimes day-to-day activities trigger this sensitivity. Hot or cold temperatures, acidic foods or drinks, and even hormonal changes, can make tooth sensitivity worse.
Tooth Sensitivity in Children and Adolescents
Tooth sensitivity isn’t just an adult problem, it can also affect kids and teenagers. If you have a kid, a niece / nephew, or even a younger sibling, you probably would have heard them complaining about a sharp pain after eating ice cream or drinking something hot, that’s tooth sensitivity.
Kids have sensitive teeth for different reasons and one of the biggest reasons is tooth decay, also known as cavities. When cavities form, they expose the nerves of the teeth, leading to sudden pain. Another reason could be they have a new tooth coming in. As baby teeth fall out and adult teeth grow, the gum can become really sensitive. Even brushing too hard can wear down the enamel just like it does in adult teeth.
Teenagers, on the other hand, can have tooth sensitivity because of things like braces, other dental treatments, or basically from consuming too many sugary snacks and drinks.
Bottom Line
Tooth sensitivity is something a lot of people deal with, and it can be a real pain; literally! If you’ve ever felt that sudden, sharp jolt when you bite into ice cream or sip on a hot drink, you know exactly what I’m talking about. This happens when the protective enamel on your teeth wears down, exposing the sensitive layer underneath.
