Charlottesville Orthodontics is proud to offer the exceptional orthodontic care that you need when you’re looking for a Charlottesville orthodontist. In addition to our compassionate care, we offer a comprehensive selection of braces and other orthodontic treatments that’ll be sure to help, no matter your orthodontic condition or desires. As your trusted providers of orthodontics, we care about the health of your teeth, which is why we want to take the time to discuss the topic of tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is something that over 40 million adults in the United States suffer from. If you have sensitive teeth – you’re not alone! If you’re wondering why this is though, we’d like to explain a bit more about how and why it’s caused.
How teeth sensitivity is caused
Tooth sensitivity is caused because of the movement of fluid that’s within tiny tubes that are located in the dentin of the tooth. This can result in nerve irritation. When the tooth enamel is worn down, these tiny tube surfaces are exposed, which causes pain by eating or drinking anything hot or cold and even just by being exposed to cold air.
Reasons for tooth sensitivity
As over 40 million adults have sensitive teeth, it’s no surprise that there’s a plethora of different reasons why it can occur. Here are just a handful of some of the more common ones:
- You’re brushing your teeth too hard.
- You’re grinding your teeth.
- You have gum disease or your gums are receding.
- You’re eating too many acidic foods and beverages.
- You have a cracked tooth.
What to do about sensitive teeth
A few of our recommendations for treating sensitive teeth include the following:
- Use a sensitivity toothpaste – The first thing you should do is switch to a sensitivity toothpaste. This toothpaste will help protect the nerves and relieve discomfort.
- Avoid brushing hard – As one of the causes of sensitive teeth is brushing too hard, you should ease up on your brushing so that you don’t wear down your tooth enamel. Also, you should avoid using a hard-bristled toothbrush.
- Visit your dentist – If you’ve been experiencing sensitive teeth for several days, you may want to see your dentist. Dentists have a number of different treatments and products that can help manage tooth sensitivity.
Contact your Charlottesville orthodontist today!
It’s always important to be aware of any issues with your teeth, especially if you’re thinking about or are undergoing orthodontic treatment. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns for us, we always welcome you to contact us and let us know. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment with your Charlottesville orthodontist, feel free to fill out our online appointment request form. We can’t wait to hear from you!