Do your teeth hurt when you brush or floss? Are your teeth sensitive to cold foods or beverages? Tooth sensitivity is a common but highly painful dental concern that can also lead to tooth wear and damage. Overly sensitive teeth can also prevent patients from eating or drinking the foods and beverages they enjoy.
Treat your sensitive teeth in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Srotalina Khanna can help find the cause of your toothaches or tooth sensitivity and find the right treatment for your needs. Here are common signs and treatment options for sensitive teeth.
What Tooth Sensitivity Actually Means
Under your enamel is a layer called dentin. Dentin contains tiny tubes that connect to the nerve inside your tooth. When enamel wears down, or gums recede, those tubes get exposed. Hot, cold, sweet, or acidic stimuli travel through the tubes and trigger a pain signal.
Healthy teeth have enamel covering the crown and gum tissue covering the root. When either barrier breaks down, sensitivity starts. The type of sensitivity you feel often points to the cause.
Match Your Symptoms to the Likely Cause of Tooth Sensitivity
Not all sensitivity is the same. The pattern of when it hurts can help narrow down what’s happening.
If It Hurts When You Eat or Drink Something Cold
Cold sensitivity is the most common complaint. It often means enamel is thinning or gums have receded. Both expose the dentin underneath.
Common causes include aggressive brushing, acidic foods and drinks, and gum disease. If the sensitivity is new and localized to one tooth, it could also signal a cavity or a cracked tooth.
If It Hurts When You Brush
Sensitivity while brushing often points to gum recession or worn enamel at the gumline. This can happen from brushing too hard with a hard-bristled brush. It can also result from gum disease, which causes gums to pull away from the teeth.
Switching to a soft-bristled brush and using gentle pressure helps. If the sensitivity persists, it’s time to have your gums evaluated.
If It Hurts When You Eat Something Sweet
Sweet sensitivity often signals a cavity. The sugar interacts with bacteria in the decayed area and triggers a pain response. This type of sensitivity usually gets worse over time if left untreated.
If It Hurts When You Bite Down
Pain when biting can mean a cracked tooth, a loose filling, or an infection. This type of sensitivity needs prompt evaluation. A cracked tooth can worsen quickly, and an untreated infection can spread.
If the Sensitivity Is Widespread
Generalized sensitivity across multiple teeth often points to enamel erosion, gum recession, or dry mouth. It can also be related to grinding your teeth at night, which wears down enamel over time.
The Most Common Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
Dr. Khanna sees these causes most often in her practice.
Enamel Wear From Grinding
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is one of the most common causes of sensitivity. Many patients grind at night without realizing it. The constant pressure wears down enamel and exposes dentin.
Signs of grinding include waking up with a sore jaw, headaches, and flattened or worn teeth. Dr. Khanna can fit you with a custom night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep. The guard absorbs the force of grinding so your enamel doesn’t take the damage.
Gum Recession
Gums recede for several reasons. Gum disease is the most common. Aggressive brushing, aging, and genetics also play a role. When gums pull away from teeth, they expose the roots, which don’t have enamel. That’s why receding gums often cause sensitivity.
Treatment depends on the cause. If gum disease is present, periodontal therapy comes first. If brushing habits are the problem, we’ll help you adjust your technique.
Cavities and Decay
Decay that reaches the dentin causes sensitivity. If it reaches the pulp, you’ll feel more persistent pain. Dr. Khanna catches cavities early with digital X-rays. Small cavities can be treated with fillings. Larger ones may need a crown or root canal.
Cracked or Chipped Teeth
A cracked tooth exposes the inner layers and sometimes the nerve. The pain comes and goes depending on what touches the tooth. Cracked teeth need prompt treatment. A crown protects the tooth from further damage. If the crack reaches the pulp, a root canal may be needed.
Acid Erosion
Acidic foods and drinks wear down enamel over time. Soda, citrus juice, wine, and even sparkling water contribute. So does acid reflux, which brings stomach acid into your mouth. Limiting acidic foods and rinsing with water afterward helps protect your enamel.
What You Can Do at Home
If your sensitivity is mild, these steps may help.
- Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Use sensitivity toothpaste with potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride
- Brush gently in small circles, especially along the gumline
- Avoid acidic foods and drinks, or rinse with water after consuming them
- Use an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid drying out your mouth
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
If these steps don’t help within a few weeks, it’s time to see a dentist.
When to See a Dentist in Bethesda, MD
Sensitivity that lingers, gets worse, or is localized to one tooth needs professional evaluation. Dr. Khanna will examine your teeth and gums, take digital X-rays, and identify the cause. You’ll learn what’s happening and what treatment options make sense.
Her practice uses digital X-rays and intraoral cameras to make diagnosis more accurate. Intraoral cameras let you see what she sees on the screen, so you understand your dental health and can make informed decisions.
Treatment might be as simple as a fluoride varnish or a desensitizing treatment. It might involve a filling, a crown, or periodontal therapy. Dr. Khanna will recommend the least invasive option that solves the problem.
Relieve Tooth Pain and Sensitivity Today
Do you notice sudden tooth pain or sensitivity? Don’t ignore pain that might signal a bigger problem.
Schedule a dental consultation with the team at Bethesda Family Smiles online. You can also call our office today at 301-500-2205. We welcome any questions or concerns that you may have about your dental care.