Sensitive teeth

Sensitive teeth

Sensitive teeth are very irritating. Your teeth hurt when eating or drinking hot or cold foods or you feel sudden pain when cold air goes over your teeth. This shot of pain can have various reasons.

When you have sensitive teeth, the dentine lies more or less open. A tooth or molar is made of different tissues. The dentine lies beneath the tooth enamel (the outer hard layer). The root of your teeth also is made of dentine. Roots are protected by the gums. If the gums get smaller, for example as a result of inflammation or brushing too hard, the root (so, the dentine) will get to lie open. When that open dentine comes into contact with cold or hot, sweet or sour things, it in turn stimulates the nerve in your teeth, which feels incredibly unpleasant.

When the dentine lies open and you have sensitive teeth, this can have several reasons:

• Gums getting smaller
• Acids in our food and drink damage the enamel layer, which is also called dental erosion. The damaged enamel resulys in sensitive teeth;
• Brushing too hard
• Teeth grinding or clenching can result in damage along the gum line.
• Cavities/holes (caries) damage the tooth enamel and the underlying dentine, resulting in sensitivity.

To protect against sensitive teeth, good oral hygiene and therefore brushing twice a day is necessary. Brush with a fluoride-containing toothpaste and a good toothbrush, preferably electric. Don't brush too hard! If you suffer from sensitive teeth because of brushing too hard, an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor can be useful. It gives a warning when you brush too firmly.

To clean the spaces between your teeth, it is important to clean them once a day with a toothpick, tuft brush or dental floss. In addition, you can remove the bacteria on your tongue with a tongue scraper.