Sudden Tooth Sensitivity

If you are wondering what causes sensitive teeth all of a sudden, you should know that there are several possible answers. In some cases, it will require emergency dental care, and you can always visit the website to get all the necessary details. 

Now however, let us go through all you need to know about tooth sensitivity, emergency dental services, and ways to prevent it from happening in the first place. 

What Causes Sudden Tooth Sensitivity

There are a few reasons why you might experience sudden tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. The main problem here is that you won’t be able to know whether the situation is serious or not. And the only way to determine it is to visit your dentist. They will be able to provide the necessary information, and if needed, fix the problem. 

When a tooth gets damaged, it becomes vulnerable. Whether we are talking about the surface of the tooth or inside, it can be painful and lead to tooth sensitivity. Enamel is the protective layer of the tooth, and if it gets damaged or worn out, it can allow easy access to the inside of the tooth where dentin is. So, any activity that can damage the enamel can lead to sensitivity. 

Physical damage is often the reason behind sensitivity, and having a cracked tooth will leave the inside part open. Furthermore, if the tooth is damaged enough, it can leave the nerve exposed, and eating or drinking will be painful. 

Causes

Tooth sensitivity is easy to notice. You will feel discomfort or your teeth will hurt after eating something either hot or cold. There are a couple of reasons why this might happen. The first one on the list is physical damage. If you are someone who grinds their teeth, it will easily destroy the surface of the tooth, leaving the inner part exposed. As a result, it can lead to tooth decay and other oral health problems. 

Of course, brushing your teeth is important, but you shouldn’t brush too hard since it can be one of the reasons behind your tooth pain. Finally, drinking acidic foods and drinks can easily destroy tooth enamel, and lead to further teeth problems. 

Exposed parts of the tooth can lead to numerous dental emergencies. We should also mention that gum disease can affect the tooth as well, and receding gums can expose the root of the tooth causing sensitivity. So, before you start planning anything, it would be good to know what caused the problem and dentin hypersensitivity. The only way you can solve the issue is by addressing the underlying problem and fixing it. 

Otherwise, the problem will remain and the situation will repeat again and again. In some cases, a sinus infection can affect your teeth as well. It can lead to swelling, which will make your teeth more sensitive. 

Prevention

One of the most important things when it comes to teeth is prevention. And it can help you avoid so many problems. That means that you will need to work on improving your oral hygiene and habits. Ideally, you would brush your teeth after each meal, and ensure that there are no food particles left between your teeth. Moreover, you should work on adjusting your eating habits and avoid foods and drinks that have a lot of sugar or those that are acidic. 

Tobacco and tobacco-based products or coffee are not recommended, and all of them can affect your oral health. But if you have, say, bruxism, the solution might be a bit more complex. For those unaware, bruxism is a condition where a person grinds their teeth. It can be during sleep or even when they are away. Rubbing teeth against each other will cause them to wear out, and they can even crack. 

A simple fix for bruxism is to wear a mouth guard. The person that grinds teeth during sleep can safely use the mouth guard, and it will prevent any damage to their teeth. But this is a short-term solution. That is, it prevents the person from grinding teeth, but it doesn’t solve the problem behind it. Bruxism is often caused by an underlying condition, and to solve it, you will need to address the problem that started it all. 

Treatments 

The treatment for tooth sensitivity will mostly depend on the condition that caused it in the first place. If you are experiencing mild discomfort, the problem can be addressed with over-the-counter medication. There are also toothbrushes and types of toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, and you can check them out as well. Of course, we already mentioned mouth guards you can use during the night to prevent damaging your teeth while you sleep. 

Keep in mind that solving the issue takes time. And you won’t see results after the first use. Be patient and wait for at least a week. If there is some type of damage to your teeth already, you should talk to your dentist and see what your options are. Cracked or chipped teeth can be easily fixed, and based on the type of damage, the dentist might need to do a root canal or use fillers. 

As you can see, there are plenty of different options based on the situation, and your primary goal should be addressing the problem that started it all. And the only way to achieve it is to visit your dentist and have them determine the problem. 

What to Do?

Based on the condition and levels of discomfort, you can try treating the problem on your own using a different toothbrush or toothpaste, and if the problem doesn’t go away, your best choice would be to visit a dentist. 

In some cases, the situation can be considered a dental emergency, especially if your teeth are damaged. If this happens, you should visit an emergency dentist and address the problem as soon as you spot it. Keep in mind that there is a chance that sensitivity is not a tooth emergency and that there is nothing to worry about. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.