Teeth Sensitive to Heat? Here’s What You Can Do
Do you feel a sharp pain in your teeth whenever you eat or drink something hot? Then you probably have teeth sensitive to heat. This is a common problem that is an early sign of tooth decay or other dental problems.
Many people try and deal with tooth sensitivity by avoiding certain foods. But this is an unsustainable solution that may cause the underlying dental condition to worsen. So, if your teeth are sensitive to heat it is best to investigate the root cause instead of ignoring the problem.
Read on to find out more about teeth sensitive to heat and how to treat or manage the condition.
Tooth Sensitivity Reasons
So, what causes tooth sensitivity to heat? One of the main causes of teeth sensitive to heat is tooth decay or cavities. Plaque-causing bacteria in our mouths excrete acids that can erode the protective enamel layer of our teeth. Daily flossing, as well as brushing of the teeth with fluoride toothpaste, prevents the bacteria from damaging our teeth. But poor oral hygiene habits allow the acids to damage the enamel, hence exposing the inner layers of our teeth to hot and cold temperatures.
If your teeth’ enamel is damaged and you bite on something hot, your nerves will sense the heat and complain in the form of pain. If the sensitivity is persistent, it is best to see a dentist so they can check for early signs of tooth decay. If caught early, your dentist may be able to prescribe a fluoride treatment to remineralize your teeth and reverse early tooth decay.
Apart from tooth decay, other dental conditions could cause teeth sensitivity to heat. These include gum disease, teeth grinding, and receding gums. Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue that surrounds the root of a tooth wears away or pulls back. This exposes the root of the tooth to elements like hot food and drinks.
The receding gum also creates pockets between the root of the tooth and the gum whereby bacteria can build and cause infections. Tooth sensitivity is often the first sign of receding gums so reporting the condition to a dentist could help arrest the problem. Dentists do have treatments that can slow or reverse gum recession.
Another cause of teeth sensitivity is dental procedures like teeth cleaning or whitening. These dental procedures rub on the enamel layer of the teeth and make them more sensitive. Teeth sensitivity that has been caused by dental procedures usually wanes after a few days. Brushing with sensitive toothpaste can help reduce the sensitivity during the days following a procedure. But if your teeth continue to be sensitive for a week or more, it is best to visit your dentist for a checkup.
Tooth Sensitivity Relief
As you can see, tooth sensitivity to heat may be the result of many different causes. Luckily the treatments are the same for most of the underlying causes. The first thing you should do to ease tooth sensitivity to heat is to start using fluoride toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth. Such toothpaste will help to strengthen your teeth’ enamel and reduce their sensitivity.
Remember to brush your teeth after every meal to prevent plaque acids from building up and eroding your teeth. It is also important to brush gently with a soft toothbrush to prevent injuries to your gums and gum line. You must also floss once a day and visit your dentist at least once a year. The dentist will clean your teeth and remove any plaque and tartar. They will also check for early signs of tooth decay or gum disease which are leading causes of tooth decay.
Another surprising relief for sensitive teeth is to chew xylitol gum. The xylitol in sugar-free gum helps to kill plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth. This reduces the number of plaque acids that destroy the teeth’ enamel. Chewing gum also stimulates saliva flow. Saliva has an alkaline pH that helps reverse the effects of plaque acids on the enamel.
Final Word on Teeth Sensitive to Heat
If you experience tooth sensitivity to heat that lasts for more than a few days, make an appointment to see a dentist. Tooth sensitivity doesn’t occur without a reason and ignoring it will give the underlying condition time to worsen. A dentist will examine your teeth and diagnose and treat the cause of the sensitivity. Maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine as described in our free book Why Me, can also help keep teeth sensitivity at bay.