Common Causes and Treatments
for Sensitive Teeth
Article by Crest Corporation
Your Heart Health
If you've ever noticed sharp pain in your teeth when enjoying ice cream or a cold or hot beverage, you probably experience some degree of tooth sensitivity. When the temperature gets colder outside, even just breathing in frosty air can trigger that pain. According to research, 1 in every 2 adult Americans suffers from some kind of tooth sensitivity. What are the most common causes of tooth sensitivity, and how can you help protect your teeth from discomfort?
Gum recession
There are several factors that can lead to gum recession - with one of the contributors being gingivitis. This can lead to gingival recession which, along with the loss of cementum, leads to exposure of dentin - which leads to dental sensitivity.
Products like Crest Gum and Sensitivity Toothpaste can also help treat gingivitis, which can ultimately lead to gum
recession. Often when people experience tooth sensitivity they reduce or stop brushing their teeth regularly, which can just make the problem worse. Continue to practice good oral care and consult your dentist if pain around the gum line persists, since that could mean additional treatment for your gums is warranted.
Crest and Oral-B Smile Council member Kareen Wilson, RDH, says, "Even as a dental professional I have teeth sensitivity, so Crest Gum and Sensitivity is the product I use and recommend for fast and effective relief.
Enamel wear
The outer covering or shield of the tooth, known as enamel, can wear down over time as well as from acidic food and drinks. Weakened enamel and dentin can also mean exposing the microscopic tubules that lead to dental nerves, so that anything touching that area causes pain.Many people who experience tooth sensitivity find themselves avoiding