What is Tooth Sensitivity and Why Does It Happen?

Tooth sensitivity is a problem that can be seen in everyone from time to time. There are many factors that can cause tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity in a person can cause stress and can also pave the way for dental health problems if precautions are not taken over time. 

The enamel layer that protects the tooth surface attracts attention with its strong structure. The dentin area of the teeth is protected by enamel. Tooth roots are protected by a bony tissue called cementum. Damage to the teeth, weakening of the tooth enamel, or exposure of the tooth roots can make the dentin area of the teeth sensitive. 

While tooth sensitivity that may occur in a person causes unhappiness, avoiding brushing teeth, difficulty eating, and the feeling of stress caused by the feeling of pain negatively affect the quality of life. For this reason, it is more beneficial to take precautions before gum sensitivity occurs. In cases where sensitivity occurs, the underlying cause must first be determined. 

Individuals with gum sensitivity should consult a dentist and act in accordance with the dentist's recommendations. During the examination, an underlying cause, if any, can be detected and the necessary treatments can be applied. If the causes of sensitivity are related to daily habits, this problem can be solved by taking precautions. 

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

There are many factors that can cause tooth sensitivity. Drinks and foods consumed hot or cold and acidic foods can increase the problem and intensify the feeling of sensitivity in case of tooth sensitivity. Some reasons that may cause tooth sensitivity can be listed as follows:

• Gum recession,

• Gum problems,

• Tooth decay,

• Plaques on teeth,

• Abrasion of tooth enamel,

• Tooth damage,

• Tooth fractures,

• Filling damages,

• Teeth grinding,

• Using a hard toothbrush,

• Teeth whitening products,

• Mouthwashes with acid content.

Tooth Sensitivity Treatment

In individuals with tooth sensitivity, the cause of this condition must first be correctly understood. Protecting oral and dental health is very important for maintaining a healthy human life. It is a fact that should not be forgotten that digestion begins in the mouth. 

The quality of life of individuals increases when they are healthy. Many issues need to be taken into consideration to protect physical health. One of these is oral and dental health. Teeth are tools that individuals will need throughout their lives and help ensure healthy digestion. 

It would be appropriate for people experiencing dental problems to first seek advice from a dentist. In addition, thanks to routine checks to be carried out once a year to protect oral and dental health, any problems can be detected before they occur or at the initial stage and precautions can be taken. 

In order to maintain oral and dental health, routine checks can be performed annually or every 6 months. The check-up period is determined by the dentist depending on the person's dental structure and problems with oral and dental health. Since the health problems and genetic characteristics experienced by each individual will be different, a control program can be created with the dentist, taking these issues into consideration. 

It is very important to understand the underlying causes correctly in order to reduce tooth sensitivity. For this reason, after an examination, it is necessary to determine what the problem is. Then, the patient is given a treatment in accordance with the dentist's recommendation. Some of the things that can be done when treating tooth sensitivity are:

• Choosing toothpaste suitable for gum sensitivity,

• Using a straw when drinking acidic drinks,

• Measures to strengthen tooth enamel,

• Gum graft,

• Root canal treatment,

• Dental restoration,

• Oral and dental care.

Things to Do to Prevent Tooth Sensitivity

Among the things that can be done to prevent tooth sensitivity, the first thing to do is to take precautions before problems occur. When you do not want to encounter a problem, oral and dental health must be maintained regularly. One of the ways to achieve this is to pay attention to oral hygiene. 

• Appropriate nutrition and being cautious when consuming hot and cold foods or beverages are some of the issues to be considered. In this context, regular tooth brushing habits should be developed first.

• Care should be taken to ensure that the toothbrush chosen for brushing the teeth is not too hard. Otherwise, in addition to gum problems, tooth enamel may be damaged.

• Choosing a toothpaste according to the dentist's recommendation is also helpful in eliminating tooth sensitivity.

• Seeing the dentist regularly is also among the ways to prevent the problem. Seeing a dentist once a year or every 6 months is important in maintaining oral and dental health. 

• In addition to toothbrushing, the use of dental floss should not be neglected. Food residues remaining in areas where the toothbrush cannot reach are the source of problems that may occur in the teeth. These residues need to be cleaned from between the teeth.

• Reviewing eating habits is also important in tooth sensitivity. Foods and drinks that are too hot or too cold should not be consumed and caution should be exercised when consuming them.

• Acidic foods also damage teeth. For this reason, consumption of acidic foods and beverages should be limited. 

• One of the things that should be taken into consideration in gum sensitivity is that individuals who have problems such as teeth grinding should have it treated.

• Decay and damage to teeth should be treated immediately when they occur. Failure to resolve these problems will lead to more problems in the future. Such problems, which can cause tooth sensitivity, need to be intervened immediately.

Factors That Trigger Gum Sensitivity

Once gum sensitivity occurs, factors that may cause it to increase must be eliminated. Unless these factors are eliminated in addition to taking appropriate precautions, it will be difficult to get positive results from the treatment. 

First of all, it is necessary to be cautious about the consumption of hot and cold drinks. In addition, the toothbrushes used during tooth brushing are also important for oral and dental health. If the right toothbrush is not chosen, a person may encounter tooth and gum problems.

The presence of tooth decay also triggers tooth sensitivity. For this reason, the underlying causes that cause sensitivity must first be identified correctly. When tooth decay is detected, it would be appropriate to have it treated by a dentist. Regular check-ups are very important for a healthy oral and dental health. In this way, intervention can be made before problems occur. 

Abscesses in the gums, dental infections, tooth fractures or damage to the teeth can also trigger tooth sensitivity. When such problems are detected during the check-up examination by the dentist, the problem should be intervened with appropriate treatment methods.

How Should Dental Care Be?

Proper care of one's teeth and gums is also a way to prevent problems that may be encountered in the long term. In addition, proper oral and dental care is the key to a healthy life. Every individual should brush their teeth regularly and pay attention to oral care. 

Choosing the right toothbrush is important in dental care. The medium softness of the toothbrush prevents teeth from being damaged. Too hard toothbrushes can damage tooth enamel over time. In addition to regular tooth brushing every day, using dental floss is also important in dental care. While teeth should be protected from hard-shelled foods, if there are problems such as teeth grinding, these should also be treated.