A lot of patients complain about having sensitive teeth. It’s a major complaint that dentists in Tampa hear about often. It’s no minor complaint either! Patients often tell their dentists in Tampa that they find brushing painful or find eating to be too uncomfortable. When this happens, it’s usually because they have sensitive teeth. Luckily, there are many ways to treat this. However, it is important to realize what caused the problem in the first place. Once you know the cause, your dentist in Tampa can recommend the proper treatment to help you. Below are seven of the most common causes:
Excessive Plaque Buildup
Having excessive plaque building can lead to the erosion of your tooth’s enamel. The less enamel you have, the more sensitive the tooth becomes. To avoid this, practice good oral hygiene and keep up on your regular dental checkups. Also, try using fluoride to help strengthen your enamel.
Brushing Too Hard
Believe it or not, brushing your teeth too hard can be a problem. If you use too much force or if your toothbrush bristles are too hard, you can actually breakdown your teeth’s enamel. This then creates tiny pockets that lead to your tooth’s nerve, allowing for certain types of food or beverages to cause pain.
Whitening Toothpaste
For some people, the chemicals in tooth whitening toothpaste cause them to have a sensitive reaction. If this is the case, it might be best to try a different product.
Teeth Grinding
Another cause of sensitive teeth is grinding and clenching. Wearing a mouth guard at night can help prevent any more damage from being caused.
Recent Dental Procedures
If you just had a dental procedure done recently, that could be the cause. This sensitivity should only be temporary and will disappear after a short time. However, if it still persists, then you should call your dentist to have them take a look at it.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash could be the problem. Certain kinds of mouthwashes have alcohol or other components that can make your teeth become more sensitive. A milder mouthwash may be just the trick.
Receding Gums
As you age, your gums will begin to recede and expose your teeth. This will eventually lead to your teeth becoming more sensitive. However, your gums may also recede due to gum disease, so make sure to treat that! Treating gum disease or sealing your teeth may help with your sensitive teeth.
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