Sensitive teeth is one of the more common dental conditions which can cause pain from the slight, annoying type all the way to the one which is likened to a sharp jab reaching into the very heart of your tooth. But how does teeth sensitivity develop and how can you shield yourself from its effects?

What causes sensitive teeth?

At the very center of each tooth lies the pulp region which is where all nerve endings and blood vessels lie. The reason why this region is well protected, with the dentin and the enamel found on the outer layers of your teeth, is because when outside stimuli is able to enter into the pulp region, this could trigger oversensitivity after interacting with the exposed nerve endings. This is the entire cause of sensitive teeth.

Given that the pulp region is well-protected so that outside substances could not penetrate into this layer, there are a couple of scenarios wherein channels leading to the pulp region could be uncovered, greatly exposing the fragile region. These situations include:

Brushing with too much force. While the enamel region is tough, it does wear thin and wear out especially when exposed to too much friction. This friction is introduced when you brush too hard. And dentists like Brad Pitts Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Lexington, SC are giving more reasons for why you should be more gentle in handling your teeth; brushing too hard does not mean that you are removing bacteria from the surface of your teeth effectively. It’s the circular/oscillating manner of brushing your teeth which ultimately ensures efficient removal of bacteria and food debris, not the amount of effort you exert.

Receding gums due to gingivitis. The enamel region covers the part of your teeth which is naturally exposed but along the roots of your teeth, this enamel is no longer available to cover your teeth. Why? Because it doesn’t seem necessary since this region will be buried deep into your gums anyway. But when you get gingivitis, pockets or gaps develop along your gum line which exposes the roots of your teeth. And what’s worse is that the roots contain microscopic holes which lead to the pulp.

Using teeth whitening products. The thing about some teeth whitening products is that they are extremely abrasive. These products rely heavily on chemicals which do some sort of damage to your teeth just so the stain could be extracted from the enamel layer. So it only follows that when you use too much of these products, your enamel will eventually wear thin until the external stimuli are able to seep through. You may do much better letting Brad Pitts Family and Cosmetic Dentistry take care of your whitening. It will be much faster and easier and will not make additional problems for you.

Visit your dentist in Lexington and West Columbia, SC, Dr. Brad Pits.


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