Sensitive teeth: A guide to prevention and healthy oral care

Many adults who suffer from pain-sensitive teeth know the feeling of short, slightly pulling to stabbing pain. Also, eating hot, sour or sweet foods can cause pain for these people. We present the various causes of pain-sensitive teeth here. We also give tips to prevent sensitive teeth.

Common Reasons Why Teeth Are Sensitive

A sensitive tooth reacts more strongly to cold. A lightning-like pain, caused by external influences, moves into the jaw area. Cold-sensitive teeth can have different causes. Sensitive teeth are mainly due to the following reasons:

• Receding gums. When the gums have receded and the necks of the teeth are exposed, stimuli such as temperature fluctuations are more easily registered by the "nerve". Especially if the protective tooth enamel has previously been brushed away by brushing too much.

• Tooth erosion. Due to the influence of acid, for example, after eating citrus fruits, tooth enamel breaks down and the dentin is exposed, which makes the teeth sensitive.
  
• Periodontitis. Periodontitis is an inflammation of the periodontium (gums, root cement, root skin and jawbone) caused by bacterial plaque. As a result of the inflammation, the gums retract, which in turn exposes the sensitive tooth necks.
  
  Furthermore, there are some risk factors that can contribute to your teeth becoming sensitive over time. These include:
  
  
• Wrong toothbrushing technique. Likewise, too much pressure promotes the decline of the gums and the wear of the tooth enamel.
  
• Teeth. By grinding teeth, the protective enamel is broken down and the dental bone is exposed. Children are often affected by teeth grinding and consequently suffer from pain-sensitive teeth.
  
• Lack of oral hygiene. Those who do not regularly and thoroughly care for their mouth and teeth favor tooth decay and periodontitis, which in turn can lead to sensitive teeth.