If you feel a sharp sting whenever you have a hot meal or icy drink, chances are you are suffering from tooth sensitivity. Aside from being troublesome and stopping you from enjoying your favorite foods, this dental problem can be an early symptom of more severe health issues. Learn the basics of sensitive teeth and how the best dentists in Spring Hill can help you prevent this problem and give you back your beaming, strong smile.

Causes for Sensitive Teeth

Your teeth owe their strength to the protective enamel that covers them. This coat absorbs nutrients while shielding your teeth from harmful bacteria that put your pearly whites at risk. However, if you adopt certain habits, this tooth layer gets thinner and exposes your yellowish-looking dentin, a part of your teeth that has a hard time battling hot and cold temperatures. If your teeth are sensitive, you might have some of these practices to blame.

Overbrushing

Contrary to what you might think, there is such a thing as being overly enthusiastic about keeping your smile clean. For instance, if you pick a hard-bristled toothbrush to remove stains more effectively, you can wear your enamel out and make your teeth more vulnerable to hot and cold beverages. Being too aggressive when you brush or cleaning your teeth more than twice a day are one-way tickets to teeth sensitivity and dental problems.

Teeth Grinding

If you wake up with tooth pain and headaches, you might be grinding your teeth without realizing it. Enamel pays the price when you force your upper and lower teeth against each other, and you can no longer enjoy your hot morning coffee or iced sodas. You can fix this issue by getting a retainer you can wear overnight or exposing yourself to less stressful situations.

Eating Certain Foods

Let’s face it: when you eat mouth-watering foods, you’re not thinking about their effects on your teeth. Unfortunately, not being aware of the consequences doesn’t stop acidic or sweet substances from wreaking havoc and damaging enamel. These are some foods and drinks that do more harm than good:

• Carbonated drinks
• Alcohol
• Acidic fruits
• Dried nuts
• Candy

Having Cavities

It’s no surprise that cavities can be the culprits behind sensitivity, as they stick to the outer layer of your teeth and destroy it. If the case is too severe, tooth decay exposes your tooth pulp and root to dangerous bacteria, making your smile weak to temperature extremes.

Whitening Your Teeth

You can turn to teeth whitening when you want a bright smile that makes others green with envy. Teeth sensitivity is a common side effect of this procedure, which usually has outstanding results. However, if a few days have passed and your teeth are still sensitive, you should visit your dentist in Spring Hill for a consultation.

How Can You Avoid This Problem? See the Best Dentists in Spring Hill!

You can easily prevent tooth sensitivity by learning how to brush your teeth properly and flossing afterward. By following these steps every day, you get rid of any dangerous substances for your enamel and smile.

If you have a sweet tooth or can’t seem to let acidic or sugary treats go, schedule a visit with the best dentists in Spring Hill at least once every six months to keep any dental problems in check and take care of your teeth sensitivity problem.

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