What should I do when my teeth hurt?

Tooth sensitivity can attack out of nowhere. You’re taking your kiddos out for ice cream and it strikes, making you cover your mouth and consider breaking down in tears. Or maybe you take a sip of your hot cocoa and that sharp pain zaps you. There are multiple reasons why you may have sensitive teeth, but there’s one thing everyone can agree on—it’s never pleasant. Unfortunately, if left untreated, it can affect your daily life by making eating an Olympic sport. It can even make the crisp walk from your car to the office particularly painful if you forget to close your mouth.

Tooth sensitivity might feel like a normal occurrence, but sometimes it can be a sign that there’s something wrong. So, what causes tooth sensitivity, and what can be done to fix it? We’ve got the answers!

Common Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

The pain of tooth sensitivity can vary in severity from a slight twinge to spearing pain, and it might not affect every tooth or be constant. If you’re dealing with that sharp pain of tooth sensitivity, you might find yourself wondering how you ended up with it. There are so many different causes, more people have it than you might think. In fact, it’s thought that roughly 40% of people deal with tooth sensitivity on a regular basis.

If you consume a lot of acidic drinks or foods, your chances of having tooth sensitivity increase. The acid in soda eats away at the enamel, exposing the dentin underneath. The same goes for acidic foods, such as citrus fruits. 

If you are dealing with gum recession, this can also cause some tooth sensitivity. As the gums shrink back, it exposes the sensitive roots beneath. Though the visible part of our teeth has enamel to help protect it like a shield, the root does not.

If you’ve had an accident recently that caused damage to your teeth, this could be the cause of your tooth sensitivity because that sensitive dentin underneath the enamel is exposed to the elements around it. Of course, having a broken or chipped tooth alone can be painful!

One of the side effects of dental procedures such as whitening is tooth sensitivity. Thankfully, this sensitivity should go away with time—just be nice to your pearly whites!

Tooth decay or cavities are big causes of tooth sensitivity. To make matters worse, they can be sneaky. By the time there’s any pain or discomfort, it can be too late. So, if you know you have a cavity of some kind, get it taken care of before it has a chance to get worse or spread to neighboring teeth!

Effective Solutions for Managing Sensitive Teeth

When tooth sensitivity strikes, what’s the best way to manage the discomfort? One of the easiest ways is to avoid the triggers, such as hot, cold, or sugary foods. Though effective, this isn’t always possible. So, a common solution is switching to a desensitizing toothpaste such as Sensodyne. This works by blocking the pain signals to your brain, alleviating the symptoms.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene can help you avoid tooth sensitivity, but it can also help keep it from getting worse—just be careful not to over brush!

Fluoride treatments can actually help strengthen your enamel, keeping that dentin safe. This is especially effective if you are able to catch sensitivity in its early stages, so don’t hesitate to contact your dental team here at Valley Dental Clinic!

If you are dealing with any underlying conditions, such as severe reflux or sleep apnea, seek treatment to help prevent the sensitivity from getting worse!

When to See a Dentist

One sure-fire sign that it’s time to come see us is if you’ve tried to remedy your sensitivity for a few weeks and nothing seems to be working. This can be a sign that there is a deeper problem, and it’s better to solve it early if possible! When you come in with tooth sensitivity, we will take our time to find the cause. You will leave your appointment feeling confident that you know what’s going on, and what can be done to fix the issue. We take our time to create a personalized plan for each of our patients to keep their smiles pain free and bright.

Are you ready to eliminate the pain?

If you’re dealing with tooth sensitivity, remember that it doesn’t hurt to get it checked out. If there are any underlying issues, it’s best to get them taken care of early. Not only does this keep you comfortable, but it also makes treatment itself less extensive. Finding long-term relief just might help your teeth last a lifetime, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re dealing with any tooth pain! After all, you deserve a comfortable smile.