Causes and treatment of sensitive teeth

If you occasionally experience a sudden flash of pain,
or a mild tingly feeling when you bite into sweet or sour foods,
or drink hot or cold beverages, you may have sensitive teeth.

Pain from sensitive teeth is not always constant; it can come and go.
Constant pain could be a sign of a more serious problem.
It is still important, however, to discuss your symptoms with your
dentist to determine the cause and proper treatment.

What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

In healthy teeth, porous tissue called dentin is protected by your
gums and your teeth's hard enamel shell. When this protection is lost,
microscopic holes in the dentin called tubules, allow heat,
cold and other irritants to be transmitted back to the tooth nerve triggering pain.
    Dentin can be exposed by:
• Receding gums caused by improper
   brushing or gum disease.
• Fractured or chipped teeth.
• Clenching or grinding your teeth.

Depending on the diagnosis, your dentist may recommend
one or more of the following treatments to relieve the symptoms of sensitive teeth:

• A soft-bristle toothbrush.
      • A special toothpaste for sensitive teeth
          that can either block access to the nerve
     or make the nerve itself less sensitive.
• A fluoride rinse or gel for sensitive
  teeth, recommended by your dentist

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