If the thought of a freezing scoop of ice cream sends pain screaming though your gums, and a steamy, hot cup of coffee makes you cringe, you probably have sensitive teeth. The good news is that sensitive teeth, while common, are not something you have to live with.
Sensitive teeth are a direct result of when either your gums or the hard, protective layer of your teeth, known as the enamel, begins to wear away. This exposes the microscopic, hollow canals of your teeth, called dentin. Because they are hollow, these canals easily send sensations of hot and cold to the nerves of your teeth.
"The nerves of the teeth, once their threshold has been breached, can elicit only one response—pain," says Dr. Richard Price, a dentist and spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA).
Sometimes teeth are so sensitive that even breathing through your mouth can cause terrible pain.
It is estimated that up to 40 million adults in the United States have sensitive teeth, making it the most common dental complaint. But there are ways to prevent and soothe a sensitive mouth. The ADA recommends the following steps to prevent sensitive teeth:
- Brush properly. With a toothbrush, make small, circular motions over the surface of your teeth. Don't scrub your teeth.
- Brush gently. As many as 90 percent of Americans brush too roughly. How do you know if you're being too diligent in your cleaning? Check the bristles of your toothbrush, if they are pointing in various directions.
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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