Why Are My Teeth So Sensitive?
WInter is here and with it comes the cold! I think everyone can agree – nothing is worse than having to get out of bed in the morning to face the icy chill – but for those with sensitive teeth, that same icy chill can cause even more discomfort.
Did you know that 1 in 8 adults suffer from sensitive teeth? It is not only cold things either – for some, drinking a hot cup of tea can send a shooting pains through into their gums.
“So what is this pain and why does it happen to me?”
Tooth sensitivity appears when the root structure of one or more teeth become exposed to the elements. Located behind your gums or under your enamel is a layer called dentin. Dentin contains millions of tiny tubes that connect to nerve endings. Overtime, when your gums recede or your enamel breaks down, these nerves endings will respond to both cold and hot temperatures.
“So how can I avoid exposing the nerve endings?”
These nerves can be exposed due to a number of reasons:
Brushing your teeth too hard – Believe it or not, harsh strokes can wear away at the gum tissue as well as the tooth’s enamel layer. This leaves the nerve endings vulnerable to whatever it comes in contact with.
Drinking acidic beverages – Some examples of acidic drinks include coffee, tea, soda, almost all juices, wine, flavored seltzer, and many popular energy drinks.
Teeth whitening solutions – Some tooth whitening products use harsh chemicals to remove the stains. Unfortunately, that chemical could also be removing some of your enamel as well.
If you have sensitive teeth, talk to one of our skilled doctors today to see how Signature Smile can help. Appointments are filling up pretty quickly, so give us a call today if you would like to get in before the new year!
Dr. Inna Trogan – DDS is experienced in cosmetic dentistry, periodontics, and general dentistry. An active member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Association, Dr. Trogan continuously stays up-to-date on the latest state-of-the-art technologies and advances in dentistry. She takes personal pride in providing courteous and high quality professional treatment for all of her patients’ dental care needs.
Our dentists have served the residents of Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, DUMBO, and all of our other surrounding communities for years. They can be reached by phone, 718.246.5677 or at their office in 100 Pineapple Walk, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201. You can also book an appointment online.