Is your tooth sensitive to hot
and cold food and beverages? You may
have noticed it when you took a sip of boiling hot coffee or tasted an ice
cream. This problem is fairly common amongst people and can affect almost
anyone.
Digging deeper into tooth
sensitivity
From a young age we learn that
there is a hard covering on the tooth which is called the enamel. This protects
the teeth and keeps it safe. However, due to a number of factors, the tooth’s
enamel surface can wear down; crack or the gums may recede. When this happens,
it exposes the microscopic tubes that are found just under the enamel. When
these cells get stimulated, it causes discomfort when you drink or eat
something hot or cold. In some cases, evening breathing in cold air can cause
discomfort in that area of your mouth.
If your tooth is sensitive to
hot and cold, it could be also
because fine cracks have developed in the enamel and the nerves get activated
causing discomfort. Other reasons could include brushing your teeth too hard,
an overall acidic diet, using the wrong toothpaste, the wrong technique of
brushing etc. Sensitivity can also be caused by certain dental treatments such
as teeth whitening.
The possible solutions
Firstly, check if you need to
replace your toothpaste. There are specific sensitive toothpastes which are
designed to protect and safeguard the enamel. Toothpastes that target teeth
whitening or stain removal, may cause more sensitivity, therefore, avoid using
them for now. Fluoride-based toothpaste is the best solution, but it is
important that you brush your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once
before bedtime. However, remember not to brush immediately after a meal or
after having something acidic like a drink or fruit. For best results, you can
take a little paste on your finger and massage it into your gums for even
better results. If your tooth is sensitive to hot and cold,
you would need to regularly and consistently use sensitive toothpaste till the
problem goes away.
While you replace your toothpaste,
it’s also important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush that will not wear down
the surface and expose problem areas which are sensitive. Further if the brush
is old or the bristles are pointing in different directions that probably means
you need to replace it with a new soft-bristled one. These are just some tips
to keep in mind while dealing with sensitive teeth.
