Many of us say we have “sensitive teeth.” We usually mean that we feel twinges of pain or discomfort in our teeth in certain situations. These may include:
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Over half of us experience the twinge of sensitive teeth at some point in our lives — 30 percent of us suffer daily — and it’s a problem that seems to be on the rise. One of the most common dental complaints, it tends to peak in the 30-50 age group. Women are consistently shown to suffer more, although no one knows why.
Causes:
One culprit is receding gums — they expose the sensitive dentine roots of the teeth not covered by protective enamel. Receding gums become more common with age, but they’re also caused by over-brushing, which wears them away, or under-brushing and not flossing, which can lead to disease and shrinkage.
Certain foods and drinks can contribute, too. Anything acidic will slightly dissolve the enamel. That means sugary foods and drinks; anything frizzy, including carbonated water; and fruit and fruit juice — particularly rhubarb and grapefruit. Wines, vinegars, pickles and lemon juice can have the same effect.
Other causes can include gastric reflux, where acid comes up to the mouth from the stomach. People with eating disorder like bulimia often have sensitive teeth, thanks to acid erosion from vomiting.
Excessive teething grinding can wear enamel away, and tooth-whitening procedures can cause temporary sensitivity.
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