Who hasn’t felt that shiver when biting directly into an ice cream? And when a piece of ice touches the back of a tooth? Yes, it’s quite an uncomfortable pain, but know that this problem can be even worse for many people and doesn’t always mean a cavity. In today’s text, we’ll talk about everything regarding tooth sensitivity and clear up the main questions on the subject. After all, what is it? Why does it happen? How can you prevent it? And how is it treated? Check out all this and more!
What is Tooth Sensitivity?
Also known as dental hypersensitivity, tooth sensitivity is characterized by intense pain when the teeth come into contact with something very cold or very hot. In more extreme cases, it prevents people from eating certain foods like ice cream or drinking coffee, for example. Most people who suffer from tooth sensitivity are between 20 and 50 years old, but people of all ages can experience this problem. In any case, visiting a dentist to have all the necessary exams is very important. This way, you can find out the cause of your tooth sensitivity and know how to treat it in the best way. That said, it is important to know that tooth sensitivity is a relatively easy problem to solve, especially if you follow all your dentist’s recommendations.
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity can be caused by several factors. But before we talk about them, it’s important to understand why teeth become so sensitive. This happens mainly because the dentin, the inner part of a tooth, becomes uncovered and exposed, which makes it difficult to eat hotter or colder foods. Although this is not the only cause of tooth sensitivity, it is certainly the most common. That said, one of the main causes of tooth sensitivity is enamel loss, which in turn can be caused by several factors such as bruxism, excessive brushing, cavities, improper diet, or even gastroesophageal reflux. Another cause of tooth sensitivity is gum recession, which can also occur for various reasons such as bruxism itself, periodontal disease, age, among other things. Regardless of the factor causing the sensitivity, the most important thing is to know how to treat and lessen the effects this problem can bring to your life. 
Treatments for Tooth Sensitivity
The type of treatment a dentist will recommend for tooth sensitivity greatly depends on the underlying cause, since one thing is directly related to the other. However, as we mentioned, the exposure of dentin is the most common cause of this problem, and in that case, there are some actions a dentist will usually take, such as:
- Fluoride application in foam, gel, or varnish to strengthen the most sensitive areas;
- Therapeutic laser application;
- Sealing the dentin surface, preventing it from coming into contact with food and, consequently, reducing tooth sensitivity.
It is worth noting that this type of treatment is only fully effective when combined with actions you take at home as well, such as brushing with specific toothpaste for sensitive teeth and not overbrushing.
How to Prevent Tooth Sensitivity?
Preventing tooth sensitivity or even dental pain can be done in various ways. Some of the main steps that can be taken in this regard are:
- Use dental floss daily
- Brush your teeth every day without excess and without too much force
- Avoid consuming very acidic foods
It is worth noting that preventing the problems already mentioned here such as bruxism, gum recession, gastroesophageal reflux and periodontal disease are also ways to prevent tooth sensitivity. Remember that more than just avoiding pain, you will also be caring for your health and will undoubtedly have a better life.
Consequences of Not Treating
Tooth sensitivity itself is not a major problem, meaning it doesn’t cause very serious consequences other than preventing you from consuming certain types of food, which can be an issue for many people. However, sensitivity can be a sign of more serious problems that really can lead to severe consequences if not treated. As we mentioned earlier, sensitivity can be caused by diseases such as bruxism, gastroesophageal reflux, and periodontal disease. These diseases, if not treated properly, can bring serious consequences—from the loss of all teeth to even the development of malignant tumors, in the case of gastroesophageal reflux. For many, tooth sensitivity is a minor or unimportant subject when it comes to oral health. But it’s important to know that this is a condition that can seriously affect many people’s lives and can develop quite easily when a person doesn’t take proper precautions. For this reason, knowing what causes this problem and how it is treated is essential. This way, you’ll be prepared to identify and prevent tooth sensitivity from causing serious consequences in your life. Having knowledge is always important, especially when it comes to your own body. Also see: Gingivitis During Pregnancy: What to Do and How to Treat It
