There’s nothing like a sweet snack to boost your mood and indulge your senses. But if you have sensitive teeth, that innocent snack can turn into deep, throbbing pain pretty quickly.
At Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City, our team specializes in state-of-the-art therapies focused on eliminating tooth sensitivity by correcting the underlying problem, for greater comfort and better health. Here’s why tooth sensitivity happens and what we can do to help.
When you look at your teeth, it’s tempting to think of them as being made of one solid material. But your teeth are made of layers, with each layer performing a specific function.
The outermost layer is made of tough enamel — so tough it’s about as hard as steel. Below the enamel is a layer of dentin, a durable substance that makes up the tooth structure.
Finally, the interior “pulp” part of the tooth contains the blood vessels and nerves that keep the tooth healthy. A series of tiny tubules or channels extends from the pulp through the dentin. These tubules transmit sensation from the outer layer of the tooth to the interior — and that includes nerve sensations that cause sensitivity.
Most people associate sensitivity problems with changes in temperature, like drinking a hot beverage, eating something cold, or even breathing cold air. But sugars can cause sensitivity, too, by irritating sensitive nerves and ramping up acid production.
Several issues can make your teeth more sensitive to sugars. Enamel erosion from acidic foods exposes more of the dentin and more of those tiny tubules, leading to increased sensitivity. Some people have naturally thin enamel that can cause similar problems.
Cavities create openings to the central part of the tooth, increasing the risk of toothache and sensitivity issues. Cracks, chips, and fractures cause sensitivity issues in the same way, exposing the tooth interior to sweets that irritate tooth nerves.
Gum disease is extremely common — and it’s also a common cause of tooth sensitivity. As the gums recede, they expose more of the lower part of your teeth, leading to extra sensitivity to hot, cold, and sugars that produce acids and irritate nerves.
Finally, infections like dental abscesses can cause sensitivity, too. Abscesses are pockets of pus that form inside your tooth or gum tissue, causing a lot of pain, especially when pressure is applied to the tooth.
There are a lot of potential issues that can lead to tooth sensitivity, and fortunately, there are a lot of potential treatments that can help. Some minor issues may be remedied with regular use of special toothpaste designed to “block” tubules and decrease sensitivity over time.
When sensitivity is related to a cavity or infection, our team offers treatments to get rid of germs and restore healthy tissues. For thin enamel or damaged teeth, root canal therapy or dental crowns can help.
The best way to manage tooth sensitivity is to have it evaluated early, before a potentially minor issue becomes a major problem. To find out what’s causing your tooth sensitivity and how we can help, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City today.
