The Reason Your Teeth Feel Sensitive Should Never Be Ignored

Hello.

This is E-Pyeonhansesang Dental Clinic.

My teeth feel sensitive when I drink cold water Sometimes I even feel a sharp twinge when I’m just sitting still

Especially when the weather is cold like it is these days,

we seem to have even more patients asking about the reason their teeth feel sensitive.

Many people brush off sensitive teeth symptoms, thinking they’ll get better over time or that it’s probably nothing serious, but in fact, sensitive teeth can be a problem that should not simply be ignored.

So today, let’s take a look at the reasons teeth feel sensitive and why you should not leave sensitive teeth untreated. ^^ What does it mean when your teeth feel sensitive?

What people commonly call “tooth sensitivity” is medically referred to as dental hypersensitivity, or dentin hypersensitivity.

It is a condition in which you feel a sudden, sharp, stabbing pain when cold or hot food, sweet foods, or even cool air brushes past your teeth.

When the hard outer layer of the tooth, the enamel, is damaged or the gums recede and expose the dentin inside the tooth, if a cold or hot stimulus is applied, the stimulus is transmitted to the pulp through tiny channels in the dentin, and as a result, you feel a sharp pain.

Why do teeth feel sensitive? Common causes

There are various reasons teeth feel sensitive.

The most common cause is gum recession. As the gums surrounding the teeth gradually recede, if the tooth roots are exposed, the likelihood of tooth sensitivity increases. Gum recession usually occurs as people get older, but even at a younger age, if tartar is not well managed or if there is inflammation in the gums, gum recession can still occur, so you should be careful.

Another cause of sensitive teeth is tooth wear. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth while sleeping, clenching your teeth, or prefer chewy and hard foods, the enamel on your teeth wears down little by little, exposing the dentin and causing sensitivity.

Also, if you frequently consume foods with strong acidity or carbonated drinks, you may experience sensitive teeth.

Acid and carbonation weaken the enamel on teeth and gradually erode the tooth surface, so even if it is not very noticeable, they can slowly make your teeth weaker.

Lastly, cavities are also a major cause of tooth sensitivity. When a cavity progresses and invades the dentin, your teeth can become sensitive even to small stimuli. At this point, if you think it is just simple sensitivity and leave it untreated, the cavity often worsens and can lead to severe pain. If your teeth feel sensitive, check them once

The underlying cause of tooth sensitivity is difficult to recognize on your own.

If you avoid visiting the dentist, thinking, “I just won’t drink cold water,” or “I’ll just be careful with hot foods,” inflammation may eventually progress deep into the nerve, and it may become difficult to resolve with simple treatment alone.

Also, if the sensitivity is caused by gum recession, the recession will continue, exposing more of the tooth roots and creating an environment where bacteria can more easily invade, which greatly increases the possibility of various inflammations and diseases.

So if your teeth feel sensitive, it is best to visit the dentist first and at least get a simple oral examination.

Observe whether one specific tooth is repeatedly sensitive, or whether several teeth are sensitive at the same time, and whether the sensitivity is temporary or lasts for more than a few seconds. If you explain these symptoms in detail during the exam, it will help the medical team consider the situation comprehensively and take appropriate measures. ^^

Symptoms of tooth sensitivity appear in more people than you might think. That is why they are often easier to brush off. But once a tooth begins to be damaged, we must remember that it cannot recover on its own.

Simply visiting the dentist regularly for routine checkups can stop or prevent the progression of tooth damage. If any readers feel a little tense when drinking cold water, I hope you visit the dentist as soon as possible and receive proper care from the medical team.

Thank you for reading this long post. ^^

This was E-Pyeonhansesang Dental Clinic.