Sensitivity (also called ‘dentine hypersensitivity’) is a common problem for many people. It can occur when eating cold, hot, acidic or sweet foods, or when teeth are exposed to air.
To understand what’s going on we need to look at the structure of the tooth:
Underneath the outer non-sensitive layer of enamel is a layer of dentine, which is porous and links directly to the pulp of the tooth through small tubules.
In a normal situation the dentine is protected by the gum and enamel but if it becomes exposed it can transmit chemical, thermal or mechanical stimuli through to the pulp and cause pain.
So how does this dentine get exposed in the first place?
- Gum disease
One of the characteristics of gum disease is recession of the gums exposing the tooth roots. Gum disease can be prevented or treated by maintaining good oral hygiene at home and keeping your regular dental hygiene appointments.
- Tooth erosion
Tooth enamel is almost completely made up of a hard mineral that dissolves in the presence of acid. Over time the enamel can wear very thin or be lost, exposing dentine.
Certain foods and drinks are very acidic, and sugars in our food are converted to acid by plaque bacteria, so it’s very important to limit these kinds of foods – not just in the amount, but also the frequency and time of day that they are eaten.
Stomach acid can also cause erosion, and this is a risk for people suffering from problems such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
- Tooth brushing
Overzealous tooth brushing can cause the enamel to wear away and cause gum recession.
This usually occurs first on the sides of the teeth on the gum line. Remember to brush thoroughly but gently – an electric toothbrush may be of benefit as these tend to prevent you using too much force; and if you need advice, we’re here to help.
- Grinding teeth (bruxism)
Your jaw muscles can produce a huge amount of force, and when you’re grinding that force is focused for a prolonged period of time on your teeth.
This can lead to wearing away of the tooth structure, cracking and chipping of the teeth; which in turn causes sensitivity.
If these cracks and chips are left, bacteria can get into the tooth, which may cause more severe problems and lead to toothache, root-fillings and more.
So what can be done?
The first thing we’ll do is find the cause of the sensitivity and work with you to try to eliminate it. In addition we can treat the sensitivity – this could be as simple as recommending a particular de-sensitising toothpaste, or covering the exposed dentine, but it may also be a symptom of a larger problem so its always better to make a dental appointment and get it checked.
