7 Reasons For Sensitive Teeth

Posted on February 22, 2017

Have you ever eaten ice cream or a slushie and felt a not-so-pleasant sensation running through your teeth? If you eat or drink anything extremely hot in temperature, do you feel a similarly painful experience? This is what’s known as tooth sensitivity, and its common for a lot of San Francisco patients. While these are typically good indicators that you have sensitive teeth, checking with your dentist can help confirm this suspicion. At our San Francisco office, Dr. Skoulas can do an in-depth examination to discover what is making your teeth sensitive and what you can do to help avoid these painful experiences. After all, nobody likes to be limited to certain foods and drinks in their diet.

When your teeth are ultra-sensitive, you may wonder why. Knowing what’s causing the sensitivity is a way to help prevent the problem as well. For San Francisco patients, we’ve come up with a list of common causes for sensitive teeth. These are seven of the most frequent reasons people have sensitivity in their teeth:

Tooth Decay: Tooth decay is something that happens gradually with improper dental care and maintenance.

Enamel erosion: which is caused by several different factors, can ultimately result in sensitivity of your teeth.

Bruxism: Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is another cause for sensitive teeth. If you clench your teeth often, you can wear down the outer shell of your teeth, resulting in more sensitivity. Dentists recommend wearing a night guard, especially if you grind your teeth at night, as a way to help prevent this.

Dental Procedures: Having a procedure done by your dentist is also another reason for sensitive teeth. Luckily for San Francisco patients, this sensitivity will go away in a couple of weeks once your teeth have fully healed.

Foods High in Acid: Certain foods and beverages we consume can have substances that can cause tooth sensitivity. For instance, citrus based foods are typically high in acid and can tear at the outer layer of your teeth.

Gum Disease: Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is another cause for sensitivity. If you have had dental issues in the past and poor dental hygiene, you might have gum disease. As a result, your teeth start to become more sensitive because your gums are sore and inflamed.

Chips or Cracks in Your Teeth: If your teeth are chipped, they are more likely to gather bacteria because they are exposed. This is a way that your teeth can become more sensitive. Also, if your teeth have cracks in them, it is likely because the enamel has already worn down a bit. As a result, your teeth are already more prone to sensitivity.

For more information on teeth sensitivity, San Francisco dentist Dr. Skoulas can help assist you with any concerns or questions. Call us today at (415) 757-0110 to schedule a consultation.