Why Do Some People Have Sensitive Teeth?

E very 8th person in the US suffers from sensitive teeth. Why is this so common? Why do some people have sensitive teeth is a common thought to have. Have you ever felt a sudden pain as you ate or drank something hot or cold, especially one after the other? If yes, there’s a chance you may have sensitive teeth too.

What Are Sensitive Teeth?

Tooth sensitivity is characterized as a short but sharp pain sensation that some people experience after eating something cold like ice cream or eating something hot like steak, and sometimes one after the other. It can also arise when eating sour, spicy, and sometimes even sweet foods.

However, in terms of dental health, sensitivity is much more serious than just a few short-lived pains. The treatment, on the other hand, is fairly simple and straightforward.

What Does Having Sensitive Teeth Feel Like?

This depends on each individual person who has sensitive teeth. Sometimes, it just feels like a mild twinge that does nothing more than make you wince, and other times it can feel like unignorable discomfort that makes you hold your jaw in pain.

Furthermore, the pain can come and go, with some instances of pain being worse than others. It is also not necessary to feel discomfort in every single tooth, it may only be in some teeth or just one tooth.

Why Does Sensitivity Lead To Pain?

In order to understand this, it is crucial to understand the exact structure of teeth. The visible, outer part of teeth is called the crown. The part that grounds each tooth into the jaw is called the root. The crown consists of four components.

• Tooth enamel is the name of the hard, white layer that acts as protection for the sensitive parts inside the tooth. Fun fact: the hardest material in your body is tooth enamel. It is even stronger than your bones.
• Cementum is the name of the thin layer which acts as protection for the root of the tooth. It is under the gum line, and it is a bone-like tissue.
• Dentin is the name of the softer, sensitive tissue inside the tooth, which contains tubules that are tiny canals.
• Pulp is the name of the very soft tissue that is deep inside every single tooth. It contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues.

Nerves help us feel, and tooth enamel covers our dentin, which is connected to our nerves. If, for whatever reason, our tooth enamel starts to wear down, our dentin becomes exposed. Thus, the sensation of pain after eating ice cream or drinking hot coffee is sent through the dentin to the brain, and we begin feeling the “pain” that we wouldn’t otherwise. This pain condition is termed sensitivity.

What Causes Sensitivity?

Here comes the actual answer to the question: why do some people have sensitive teeth?

Well, there are a number of reasons, but two major ones have been discovered by dentists.

• Enamel loss
• Gum recession

Both of these issues have separate causes. Sometimes a person can suffer from both of these.

What Causes Enamel Loss?

As explained above, tooth enamel is the outermost layer of the crown of the tooth. It is the white part we brush every day. However, it can wear away due to erosion, and this is called enamel loss. Causes of enamel loss are:

• Brushing too hard: Meaning overzealous brushing, or brushing your teeth too often. (Twice a day or 30 minutes after each of the three daily meals is okay).
• Acid erosion: Drinking too many carbonated drinks, or sugary sports drinks, or consuming too many acidic foods can erode your enamel.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Gum recession refers to the process of the margin of the gum tissue wearing away (or pulling back), thus exposing the root. Causes of gum recession are:

• Using a toothbrush with hard bristles: Rough brushing with hard bristles can hurt gum tissue.
• Genes: Some people’s DNA may have a genetic predisposition to receding gums, no matter how much they care for their teeth.
• Gum disease: This is a common oral health disease, and it can lead to the recession of gums.
• Smoking: Any form of tobacco usage leads to a buildup of plaque, which eventually puts one at a higher risk for gum recession. 

So, if you’ve ever asked yourself, why do some people have sensitive teeth? This is your detailed answer to why. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity or know someone who is, contact a dentist immediately to tackle this problem and enjoy whatever you want to eat without any pain.

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