What to do if your teeth are sensitive? Finding the right cause is the key

In traditional Chinese medicine, tooth sensitivity is called tooth rust, tooth acid, tooth cold, etc. It is a symptom that the teeth feel sore and painful when they are stimulated by temperature (hot and cold), chemical (acid, sweet) and mechanical (brushing teeth, biting hard things). So what is the cause of tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity may be caused by a variety of reasons, and there are different solutions for different reasons.

Check for caries

If there is caries, the dental nerve inside can easily come into contact with external stimuli, causing discomfort to the tooth. If it is just a simple small hole, don't panic too much, just ask the doctor to help you repair it. But if the decay is very deep, it means that the pulp has been damaged, so the internal nerve needs to be removed before installing a denture (filling).

Check for periodontitis

Most cases of periodontitis are related to dental plaque and tartar, because an unclean oral environment can cause inflammation. Periodontitis can cause gum atrophy and expose the root surface, which in turn exposes the dental nerve. In addition to symptomatic and anti-inflammatory treatment, it is particularly important to maintain cleanliness in the treatment of periodontitis. In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, morning and evening, and rinsing your mouth after meals, you should also develop the concept of regular tooth washing.

Check whether the dentin is sensitive

Many people, especially the elderly, chew a lot, which causes excessive wear on the tooth surface. In this case, you can choose some toothpaste with special desensitizing effect to help reduce tooth sensitivity. Be careful not to chew on the affected side when eating.

Tooth sensitivity is not a single disease, but a common symptom of various tooth defects. Tooth defects are commonly caused by wear, trauma or improper brushing, which causes wedge-shaped defects, damage to the enamel, expose the dentin, and transmit external stimuli through the dentin and cytoplasmic processes of odontoblasts, resulting in symptoms of tooth sensitivity. It may also be due to certain systemic diseases such as menstruation and pregnancy, which increase the systemic irritability and sensitivity of nerve endings. Even if the dentin is not exposed, the entire mouth of teeth will feel extremely sensitive and uncomfortable.

So how to prevent it?

You should pay attention to oral hygiene, master the correct brushing method, and use a softer health toothbrush to prevent the formation of wedge-shaped defects and the development of tooth sensitivity. If the occlusion of the teeth is abnormal, it should be adjusted in time. Patients with bruxism should wear jaw pads to prevent excessive wear of the surface.

Common dental diseases that should not be ignored, have you been affected?

Check whether the dentin is sensitive. It is usually caused by caries, commonly known as tooth decay or cavities. Generally, there is no spontaneous pain, but it will feel painful when encountering hot, cold, sour or sweet things. The pain disappears when the stimulation disappears, and it often requires filling or dentures. When the toothache worsens, it will become dental neuralgia, which is the main cause of severe pain. It can also occur without stimulation. Generally, cold water can relieve the pain. Gum atrophy, hard toothbrush bristles, and soft dentin can also cause pain.

Bleeding gums are common dental diseases and are easy to treat. Poor oral hygiene, uneven toothbrush arrangement, tartar or dentures, and even improper stimulation from the toothbrush can all cause bleeding gums. These must be treated promptly and the nature of the bleeding identified to avoid serious consequences.

Bad breath is an oral disease that is mostly related to the gastrointestinal tract. It can also be caused by tooth decay, which causes food to remain in the mouth and rot.

Patients with cracked teeth often feel toothache due to cracks in the teeth. The degree of pain varies with the depth of the cracks. Finally, the tooth may break due to biting hard objects. A simple self-examination is to bite a toothpick with the suspected tooth. If a brief tearing pain occurs, the tooth can be identified. Alternatively, iodine tincture can be applied to the suspected area for staining. After wiping with alcohol, the stained cracks can be observed.

Tetracycline teeth During the period of tooth development, especially for children under eight years old or pregnant women, taking tetracycline drugs can easily cause tooth discoloration, which is called tetracycline stained teeth.

Others include congenital tooth loss, pulpitis, tooth sensitivity, periodontal disease, occlusal malocclusion, enamel hypoplasia, etc.