Many people face a similar issue when it comes to their dental health: sensitive teeth! While the frequency of instances of tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking anything that is notably hot or cold may lead you to believe it is normal, this pain can actually point to more serious issues. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we want everyone to be free of any dental pain and discomfort. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI, dentist will discuss some of the causes of temperature sensitivity, and what to do if it is affecting your life.
Potential Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
If you flinch when biting into or drinking something hot or cold, your teeth are likely temperature sensitive. While the severity and length of the discomfort or pain that a person may feel in these situations varies, tooth sensitivity of any kind is usually caused by one of the following issues:
- Tooth decay, including cavities
- A broken or fractured tooth
- Old fillings wearing down
- Gingivitis or gum disease
- Tooth enamel wearing down
- Tooth roots being exposed
The Dangers of No Treatment
In all of the above cases, the reason that your teeth are sensitive is because the deeper layers of your teeth are exposed. The enamel, the hard outer layer, of our teeth protects the softer layers beneath, where the nerves are. Similarly, the softer parts that reside under your gums can become exposed if your gums recede due to gum disease or any other issue. When your enamel is worn down or when it is no longer present due to years of chewing, a dental emergency like a fracture, acidic substances wearing it down, a filling coming loose or wearing down, or because of decay, you may experience sensitivity. This is because the softer layers of our teeth are more porous, allowing extreme temperatures to make their way inside your teeth and affect the nerves within. This can cause anything from slight discomfort that lasts only for a moment to severe pain that acts more like a toothache and sticks around for a while.
How to Treat Your Sensitivity
Whether your pain is minimal or severe, if you are experiencing temperature sensitivity, the best thing that you can do is contact your dentist. While you might be able to manage your pain day to day, that pain is a symptom of something much more serious that, if allowed to progress, could mean needing more restorative care or even losing a tooth. If you are experiencing discomfort, you should always talk to your dentist, because it isn’t normal!
If You Experience Discomfort, Call Us!
If you ever have any questions about dental healthcare, what’s normal, and what isn’t, we want to help you find the answers! And, if you are in pain, you should always come to us. To schedule an appointment, call Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, MI, today at 248-693-6213.
