A Teenager's Guide to Braces

If your teeth hurt when consuming hot or cold foods and beverages, then you may have dental sensitivity. In addition to hot and cold foods and beverages, sugary foods and drinks can also cause dental pain when you eat them. Tooth sensitivity can be caused by a number of different things. However, before your dentist recommends a treatment plan, they will need to perform a comprehensive examination to determine the cause. Here are some causes and treatment options for dental sensitivity.

Causes Of Dental Sensitivity

Enamel erosion, also called acid erosion, refers to when the hard enamel on your teeth thins out or erodes. When this happens, the nerve may become exposed, causing excruciating pain when eating or drinking. Acid erosion may be caused by consuming foods and drinks high in acids such as coffee, cola, and citrus fruits and juices. 

While consuming foods and beverages high in acid content is one of the most common causes of acid erosion, other causes may be to blame. For example, if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, otherwise known as GERD, the acid from your stomach may rise up into your esophagus, making its way into your throat and mouth.

If stomach acid makes contact with your teeth, it may erode or thin your dental enamel. Certain medications such as aspirin, dry mouth, and even a genetic predisposition may also raise your risk for acid erosion and subsequent dental sensitivity.

Treatment Options

Your dentist may recommend that you brush your teeth with a special toothpaste made for people with sensitive teeth. They may also recommend using remineralizing toothpaste to help protect your teeth from further acid damage. 

If your acid erosion and tooth sensitivity are related to your acid reflux disease, try sleeping with the head of your bed elevated so that gravity keeps stomach acid from rising up into your throat. Sleeping on your side instead of lying flat can also help minimize the migration of stomach acid into your mouth so that it does not make contact with your teeth. 

Limiting your intake of cola, coffee, and citrus can also help with acid reflux and it may also help prevent further enamel erosion. Furthermore, drinking plenty of water can help wash away acids from your teeth, to help prevent further erosion.

If you develop dental sensitivity, make an appointment with your dentist. When acid erosion is recognized and treated in its early stages, you may be less likely to develop extensive enamel damage and severe tooth pain.

For more information on dental sensitivity, contact dentists near you.