At our Camden High Street Dental Practice, patients often ask us about the most common causes of tooth sensitivity and why only some teeth are affected.
Here are some of the questions we are asked.
Am I brushing my teeth too hard?
It is unlikely that you would brush some teeth harder than others and cause sensitivity. What is more likely is that your bite is not even and you are putting pressure on certain teeth. We will evaluate your bite and make any necessary minor adjustments.This ensures that bite forces are distributed evenly across all your teeth.
This should reduce or completely resolve the sensitivity and answer the question of why some teeth become sensitive.
I’ve noticed grooves in some of my teeth near the gums where the enamel seems worn. Could this be causing sensitivity?
Yes, those grooves could indeed be contributing to your sensitivity. Abfarction areas develop due to an uneven bite, leading to enamel wear in those specific spots. This condition is not caused by brushing too hard. It’s important to consult your dentist for a proper evaluation and treatment options.
Why are my teeth more sensitive when I wake up in the morning?
This will most likely be due to the fact that you have been grinding your teeth in your sleep either because of stress or because your teeth do not meet together properly. Another reason may be that your jaw joint is not working properly, having moved off the disc. We can investigate and advise you on this.
Methods to reduce sensitivity of your teeth
There are many toothpaste brands available on the market which are designed especially for sensitive teeth. These products contain potassium nitrate that blocks tiny cavities in dentin that is the root cause of sensitivity.
Changing the method of your brushing might help with teeth sensitivity. Rigorous brushing might lead to the erosion of enamel and damage the gum tissue that gives rise to sensitive teeth.
Try to avoid the consumption of acidic food such as red wine, sodas, citric fruits and more. These contain ascorbic acid that constantly attacks your enamel. Even if you are not suffering from this condition it is a good idea to avoid these food items.
If desensitising toothpaste isn’t providing relief for your condition, consider consulting your dentist about painted-on barriers. Your dentist can apply fluoride varnish or plastic resins directly to your teeth.
Although these treatments may diminish over time, your dentist can reapply them based on your specific dental needs, helping to reduce sensitivity and enhance your comfort.
Most of us grind our teeth when stressed. It leads to jaw pain and damage the tip of the teeth, exposing it to hot or cold weather that causes adverse affects. Wearing a mouth guard or changing your position during sleeping might be able to curb this habit.
If you are suffering from receding gums contact the team at Camden dentist, we will be able to restore the quality of your teeth. A dentist performs procedures like tissue grafting to correct this condition.
If you are finding a dentist because you want to talk about and understand the reasons that you have sensitive teeth, then we will be happy to make you an appointment to get to the root of the problem. Sensitive teeth can make life miserable and we will be able to show you how to relieve or completely resolve the problems that you are having with sensitivity.
