Living with teeth that are sensitive can be difficult. You may be forced to limit the foods you eat on a regular basis because of this dental concern and avoid doing certain things on a frequent basis. It's ideal to understand what could be causing your teeth to be sensitive. By knowing specific reasons this dental issue exists, this can allow you to work towards avoiding it.
Reason #1: Brushing too hard
It's important to brush daily, but you want to avoid putting too much pressure on your toothbrush when doing so. Be sure not to brush too hard or this could cause your teeth to be overly sensitive because of exposing the nerve of the tooth by using too much force.
Additionally, be sure the bristles of your toothbrush aren't too stiff and hard to avoid damage to the enamel of your teeth.
Reason #2: Eating Acidic foods
In some cases, the cause of tooth sensitivity is due to the nerve of the tooth being exposed. It's important to avoid foods that have a high level of acids, such as tomato sauce, lemons or pickles.
Reason #3: Grinding your teeth
If you have a lot of stress in your life and you grind your teeth at night or even during the day, this can cause dental sensitivity. Teeth grinding can lead to exposure of the dentin in your teeth, which is the middle layer of the tooth, and this can expose the nerve of the tooth and contribute to sensitivity.
Talk to your dental professional about wearing a mouth guard at night to reduce this problem.
Reason #4: Using mouthwash too frequently
Many types of mouthwash contain alcohol, and this can cause damage to your teeth when used too often. Be sure to read the ingredients of your mouthwash and try to avoid ones that have alcohol to reduce the possibility of sensitive teeth.
Reason #5: Gum disease
Receding gums can cause gum disease, and this is extremely common as you get older. The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis, and this can cause your teeth to be sensitive.
It's important to brush and floss daily, as well as visiting your dentist every six months to help avoid gum disease.
The benefits of knowing what can contribute to your dental sensitivity include being able to manage it better. Be sure to consult with a dentist in your area for more tips on eliminating sensitive teeth for a higher quality of life.
For professional dental care, contact a dentist such as Michael C. Cordora DDS, PLLC.
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