by Dr. Michael Dang

Does taking a sip of hot coffee make you wince in pain, or eating ice cream give you a painful chill? You’re not alone.  The Academy of General Dentistry says 40 million adults in the United States experience tooth sensitivity. These are a few common causes for tooth sensitivity.

Brushing Too Aggressively
Brushing too hard may wear down the protective layers of enamel and root cementum and expose microscopic tubules. These tubules lead to the dental nerve and can cause a shocking pain. Brushing too hard can also cause the gum to recede, that will lead to pain and sensitivity.

Acidic Diet
Citric acids from oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, kiwis break down the enamel as well. I tell my patients not to add slices of fruits to their water. While drinking water often is a good thing, having citric acids constantly on your teeth is not because it damages the teeth and causes sensitivity.

Gum Disease
Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth, which can make your gums recede.

Whitening Toothpaste
Many toothpaste manufacturers add tooth whitening chemicals to their formula. Some people can form a hypersensitivity to the whitening chemicals over a period of time.

Recurrent Decay
Over a period of time fillings can wear down and break around the margins. These tiny crevices trap bacteria which causes acid buildup and enamel breakdown.

Hard Impact
The habit of eating hard candy, ice, grinding your teeth or getting hit in the mouth can chip or crack teeth. A small crack in the tooth may not be problematic at first but if left unchecked can be very painful.

If you’re having tooth sensitivity and wonder what this means to your oral health, give our dental office a call at (808) 596-2568.

Most of the time the problem can be resolved from a simple change in behavior, or something as simple as changing your toothpaste. In the case of recurrent decay or a crack tooth a new filling can fix the problem, but it should be taken care of early before the problem worsens.

We offer a wide range of services and would be happy to help you deal with your tooth sensitivity or any other oral health concern. I will do my utmost to make your visit a pleasant and comfortable experience.

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