Most people think that dental health simply means a beautiful smile. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a beautiful smile on the outside doesn’t mean that on the inside there are hidden issues that must be addressed. Dental hygiene requires diligence, daily effort, and the help of professionals to routinely keep an eye on your dental health. But, despite our best efforts, sometimes we still encounter dental issues.

There are many causes of dental issues, and one of the most common complaints in dental health is tooth sensitivity. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity as well as what you can do to prevent it and address it. Sensitive teeth can be caused by a number of things, and it’s important to take a moment to determine if any of the following conditions apply to you.

Type of Toothbrush and/or Toothpaste

Many people don’t know that they can choose the stiffness of their toothbrushes. It makes sense that since we’re all very different and have different thresholds for pain and discomfort that not all toothbrushes will work for everyone’s mouth. The type of toothbrush you use should feel comfortable to you and not irritate your gums or deplete your enamel. If your teeth are sensitive, you might want to try using a softer-bristle brush. Another thing to consider is the type of toothpaste you use. Whitening toothpastes commonly make teeth sensitive, especially after prolonged use. You might want to try switching to toothpaste made specifically for sensitive teeth.

Brushing Habits

What you brush your teeth with is nearly as important as how you brush your teeth. Brushing teeth for some people is a common time to get out anxiety, anger, or frustration—but most of the time we don’t realize how hard we’re being on our teeth! Brushing too hard can certainly cause your teeth to become sensitive; however, the alternative is also true—if you brush too soft you might leave too much plaque buildup, causing gum disease or sensitive teeth. Furthermore, brushing side to side instead of in a small, controlled circular motion can add stress on your teeth. And finally, not brushing enough can cause tooth and gum sensitivity due to infections or bacterial buildup.

Eating Habits

Acidic foods such as citrus and carbonated beverages, such as sodas, can strip your teeth of its protective enamel. When the enamel becomes stripped, it can leave the dentin in your teeth exposed, causing tooth sensitivity. It’s really difficult to stay away from the foods we love so much, and that might even be unreasonable for you. Therefore, it is a good option to monitor the amount of acidic foods you typically eat and attempt to limit them when possible. Combining this approach with altering brushing habits, toothpastes and toothbrushes, you’ll be well on your way to less sensitive teeth.

Gum Disease and Other Dental Issues

As we mentioned before, gum disease can certainly have an effect on tooth and gum sensitivity; however, there are other common dental issues that can lead to tooth sensitivity, including fine fissures or cracks in teeth as well as old fillings in need of replacement or reinforcement. It’s best to stay on top of your routine dental visits so that you can prevent such issues from arising; although, if you’re having localized sensitivity in one area of your mouth, it’s important to have it checked out by your dentist right away to prevent the problem from getting worse or spreading to other teeth.

What You Can Do to Reverse and Prevent Tooth Sensitivity

Here at the Dental Group of Simi Valley, we use state-of-the-art technology for all our dental services, including routine cleanings. Additionally, Drs. Hershel Berger and Laura Jen Kin are known for their reputation of gentle, thorough dental services for all clients in the areas in and surrounding Simi Valley, CA. Tooth sensitivity is preventable, and if you’re experiencing any discomfort or sensitivity, we are glad to schedule you a check-up appointment or a teeth cleaning right away. We know how troublesome tooth sensitivity is—it affects your day from morning until evening. We look forward to helping you get a handle on the issue and work proactively to prevent it from happening again.