Effective Sensitive Teeth Treatment in Oklahoma City

Frequent consumption of acidic foods (such as citrus fruits) and drinks can wear away at your tooth enamel. With this protective layer gone, the dentin becomes exposed and receptive to stimuli that cause sharp, stabbing pain in your teeth.

Gum recession happens when the gum tissue around your teeth begins to pull back, which leads to exposed root surfaces that are not protected by enamel. An exposed tooth root eventually gives way to dentin exposure. With the dentin exposed, stimuli like hot and cold air or foods and drinks can easily affect the nerve endings inside the tooth. Dentists usually perform a surgical gum graft to cover and protect exposed tooth roots.

Lack of proper brushing can lead to plaque buildup on the tooth surface. Over time, this can cause enamel thinning, gum recession, and exposed roots. Plaque buildup along the gum line can also cause gum disease or periodontal disease. Left unaddressed, it eventually contributes to tooth sensitivity.

A recent root canal, filling, or regular cleaning can cause temporary tooth sensitivity because these procedures often affect and irritate the nerves inside the tooth. Some dental procedures temporarily leave the inner layers of your tooth exposed, thus resulting in sensitive teeth.

Brushing your teeth roughly with abrasive toothpaste can also be the culprit behind enamel erosion and teeth sensitivity. While it’s important to regularly clean your teeth by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash, you have to make sure you’re doing it properly and not causing unnecessary strain and damage to your teeth. You can tell you’re brushing too hard if your gums tend to bleed or if the bristles of your toothbrush appear too worn and frayed in a short period of time.

Cracked teeth can cause tooth sensitivity as they make it easier for stimuli to reach and irritate the nerves inside a tooth. Cracks and fractures on teeth create pathways that lead to the inner layers of the tooth, such as dentin. Cracked teeth are also prone to infection or decay, which can cause further sensitivity and pain. To repair cracked teeth, many dentists suggest dental bonding, which uses tooth-colored resin to fill in imperfections and gaps like tooth cracks.

Teeth bleaching is a fairly common procedure, but it does come with potential downsides. Teeth sensitivity is a typical side effect for those who have their teeth whitened due to the chemicals used during the procedure that irritate the nerves. Bleaching can also temporarily weaken the tooth enamel which makes it vulnerable to external stimuli and sensitivity.