Hot coffee, ice cream, an unexpected weather cold front; does all of these situations sound intimidating for your teeth? If so, you are not alone. On average 1 in 8 people experience tooth sensitivity. We at Bells Corners Family Dentistry want you to know that there are methods to assist you with this uncomfortable inconvenience. 

Today we are going to highlight some factors that could be causing your teeth to have a heightened level of sensitivity, as well as discuss some tactics to help lessen the discomfort. 

There can be many reasons why your teeth are sensitive, some are simple and others are more complex. Within the dental industry, we commonly see two key players at work when it comes to tooth sensitivity.

1. Lack of tooth enamel
   Over time the hard outer layer protecting the tooth can become damaged and dissolve. When your enamel fades it lessens the barrier between your dentin and the outside environment of your mouth. This leaves the tooth sensitive, often to hot and cold temperatures. 

It’s natural for enamel to slowly break down with age, however it can be delayed simply by avoiding over brushing (brushing too hard and too often) as well as limiting your intake of acidic foods and drinks. If you suspect that your sensitivity is caused by lack of tooth enamel, your dentist can potentially apply fluoride to the sensitive areas or recommend a Desensitizing toothpaste that you can use daily at home.  

• Receding of gums 

For those infrequent flossers, beware. Lack of flossing can lead to receding gums, which in return result in exposed dentin and sensitivity. Healthy gums equal healthy teeth, and if you believe your gums to be receding you should book an appointment with one of our dental professionals as soon as possible. There are different things that can be done to assist with your tooth sensitivity, but your sensitivity in this case may be a red flag for a larger problem at hand. Depending on how far your gums have receded, your dentist may recommend a surgical gum graft. This procedure takes a small amount of gum tissue from another location in your mouth and attaches it to the affected site. This can assist in the protection of exposed roots and lessen your sensitivity. 

If you’re feeling sensitivity and extreme pain in a specific tooth or teeth, your dentist may recommend that you consider a root canal. A root canal addresses the tooth at its core. It’s considered to be highly effective and patients are reported to notice results relatively quickly after the procedure.  

Perhaps reading this post helped you piece together where your sensitivity issue comes from. Regardless if you’re due for a check up, our team at Bells Corners Family Dentistry would be happy to have you stop by. You can now conveniently book your appointment online or call us at 613-596-6447. Let’s get your sensitivity sorted together.