Why do I have sensitive teeth?

Dentine hypersensitivity has become a mainstream problem now, with more and more people complaining of it. There has been enough work done by NGO, awareness houses as well as the best dentist in New Britain, CT for creating awareness about the various symptoms of sensitive teeth and how to prevent and treat them. While it may feel like a minor irritation, dentine sensitivity has deeper roots inside your mouth and if left untreated, it can lead to several other serious problems.

Besides dental caries, toothache and inflammation are the two most commonly reported problems by the patients. Sensitivity can be considered very much similar to dental caries as it affects people of all age groups as well as gender.

What is the sensitivity of teeth?

Formally known as dentine hypersensitivity, the sensitivity of teeth is a medical condition wherein a person feels a sudden stinging pain in his teeth when exposed to any external stimuli. The external stimuli are of various kinds including thermal, chemical, evaporative, tactile, and osmotic.

In layman’s language, a person can feel a sharp pain the teeth when exposed to hot/ cold food & liquids, sour,salty, sugary food and other food items of extreme nature.

What are the causes of sensitive teeth?

Dentin is the inner layer of our teeth, perfectly sealed with a top layer of enamel. The enamel takes everything as it comes and does not let pass the effects to the dentin. However, despite being one of the strongest parts of the human body, the enamel might erode over time. This leaves the dentin exposed to all external stimuli and this is what causes sensitivity. 

Common causes of enamel erosion:

There are various reasons that contribute to enamel erosion, a few of them are listed below:

  1. Aggressive brushing:

While brushing your teeth twice a day is recommended by experts at the dental care clinic center, they also advice against brushing too aggressively. Overzealous brushing can harm the enamel and result in erosion.

  1. Bruxism:

When you grind or clench your jaw too much and with great power, it also affects your teeth enamel negatively.

  1. Gum diseases:

Advanced gum diseases can affect the enamel and cause teeth sensitivity.

There are several other reasons for enamel erosion which further leads to sensitivity of teeth. It is always better to visit your family dentist CT and get a routine check-up to keep a tab of your dental conditions.