If you take a drink of iced water or breathe in cold mountain air and feel a zing in your teeth, you probably experience teeth sensitivity. Sensitivity can make it difficult to whiten your teeth, brush them comfortably, or to enjoy cold fruit or drinks.
Not all teeth sensitivity can be explained, but here are a few reasons why you might feel extra sensitive:
Bruxism – Teeth grinding and clenching can cause your teeth to feel sensitive due to constant unconscious pressure. Over time, bruxism can also cause gum recession and even jaw problems.
At Scott M. Jordan, DDS, we treat bruxism using custom nightguards. A custom nightguard can prevent your teeth from the constant pressure of grinding your teeth while you sleep. Nightguards, also known as splints, are made of hard acrylic that are slightly more giving than your natural teeth, which allows your nightguard to absorb some of the force you exert as you sleep.
Brushing too Hard
Brushing your teeth too hard, especially with an abrasive toothpaste, such as whitening toothpastes, can scratch away at the enamel on your teeth, cause gum damage, and make your teeth more sensitive.
Use toothpaste without abrasive particles and avoid baking soda, which is also abrasive. Use a soft toothbrush and don’t press too hard as you clean your teeth. The tips of the bristles are actually the part that does the cleaning!
A Misaligned Bite
If your bite is slightly off due to jaw problems or a misaligned bite, it can cause sensitivity, especially in opposing teeth. If you wake up with an achy feeling in a few teeth, you may need to have them adjusted, especially if you recently had a filling or crown.
Other treatments we can use to decrease sensitivity include fluoride, which strengthens enamel and by using a sensitivity toothpaste to help your iced tea and cold grapes more comfortable!