5 Causes of Sensitive Teeth with your Dentist in Lisle

“Ouch!” you exclaim as the ice cream hits your teeth. You’ve been looking forward to digging into a pint of chocolate all day, but the first thing you end up tasting is pain. This has been happening more and more lately and it’s starting to concern you. What is causing all of this tooth sensitivity? Your dentist in Lisle at Arbor Dental Care wants you to know what may be causing your teeth sensitive, and what you can do about it.

The Underlying Cause

Your teeth are actually made up of layers, and you are probably familiar with the outermost layer: enamel. Inside this is a substance called dentin, and it contains many tiny nerve endings within it. Without enamel, the nerves are exposed, which is why you feel pain whenever you eat hot or cold foods. This loss of enamel can be brought on by a few different things.

1. Tooth Erosion

Even if you don’t have a cavity, sugary foods and drinks like citrus fruit and sodas can make your enamel thinner. The best way to avoid this is to moderate your intake. Try to drink more water and eat more fibrous fruits on a daily basis to help preserve (and even help) your teeth.

2. Tooth Decay/Damage

This is an extension of #1. Once plaque has eaten through the enamel or your tooth has been broken, it’s easy for the nerve to be stimulated by extreme heat or cold, causing you pain.

3. Over-brushing

Yes, there is such a thing as brushing too much. If you have a brush with hard bristles or use a lot of pressure, you can actually wear down your enamel while brushing your teeth. You only need to brush twice a day and it shouldn’t take too much force.

4. Teeth-Grinding

Many people unconsciously grind their teeth at night, which is also known as bruxism. This can put the teeth under a tremendous amount of pressure and even break them.

5. Post Dental Treatment Sensitivity

It is common for your teeth to be sensitive after certain dental procedures like receiving a crown or undergoing a root canal. This is because these procedures usually involve removing a portion of the tooth’s enamel.

What You Can Do

One of the best ways to prevent sensitive teeth is to brush and floss regularly. This will help avert the loss of enamel. If you are already experiencing teeth sensitivity, try switching to a toothpaste that is specifically made for them.  It is also important that you regularly see your Lisle dentist at Arbor Dental Care. Dr. Frank and Dr. Jeanelle Marchese can treat the underlying causes of your teeth sensitivity and even use cleanings and fluoride treatments to stop it. Regular check-ups also give them the chance to catch these potential causes before your teeth start feeling sensitive, so be sure to come see us at least twice a year.

Want To Know More?

We want you to be able to take a big bite of ice cream and enjoy yourself without pain. If you still have questions about what could be making your teeth sensitive or how they can be treated, please give us a call today. We’re always ready to help you. Sensitive teeth may be annoying, but Drs. Frank and Jeanelle can do something about them, so be sure to come see us so we can help you today.