Every morning, you brew a fresh cup of coffee to start your day out on a good note. One morning when taking the first sip, you experience a jolt of pain. You didn’t do anything differently when making your favorite morning beverage, so what could be causing this sudden discomfort? Read on to learn about a few common causes of tooth sensitivity as well as whether it warrants an emergency visit to the dentist.
Common Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
When you have sensitive teeth, things like foods and drinks that are hot, cold, sweet, or acidic, cold air, mouthwash that contains alcohol, and brushing or flossing your teeth may cause you to experience discomfort. Several things can lead to tooth sensitivity, but a few common causes include:
- Fractured, chipped, or broken teeth
- Tooth grinding or jaw clenching
- Exposed tooth roots
- Worn tooth enamel
- Worn dental fillings
- Dental decay
- Gum disease
Is Tooth Sensitivity Considered a Dental Emergency?
If you experience sensitive teeth short-term, this is unlikely to warrant a visit to your emergency dentist’s office. However, tooth sensitivity that lasts for more than a few days could be a sign of oral health issues like tooth decay or infected tooth. Though cavities are easy enough to treat if caught early on, decay that leads to a severe infection will require a root canal. If the tooth is too far gone, your dentist will have to extract it to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the mouth.
Ways to Prevent Tooth Sensitivity
Fortunately, there are several ways that you can prevent future tooth sensitivity, including:
- Brush and floss – Twice per day for two minutes, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque and food particles from your smile. Make sure to floss at least once per day as well, preferably before you go to bed.
- Wear a mouthguard – If you play contact sports like football or grind your teeth while you sleep, ask your dentist about getting a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth from harm.
- Eat the right things – Make sure to limit your consumption or completely avoid acidic or overly sweet or sticky foods and drinks as these can damage your smile. Increase your intake of foods and drinks that are good for your teeth, including fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat, fish, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Though many forms of tooth sensitivity can be treated at your next appointment, there’s no harm in contacting your dentist. They will be able to clean and examine your smile to ensure that your pearly whites remain healthy and bright!
About the Practice
Tooth sensitivity may feel like a cause for concern, But Comal Dental is here to help you get the situation under control. They offer a wide range of oral health services and can examine your smile to get to the bottom of the issue. Soon, you will be enjoying a healthy, discomfort-free smile once again. To make an appointment with Comal Dental or for more information on their services, call their office at (830) 625-1515 or visit their website.