Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

 

Tooth sensitivity is never a comfortable experience and it can significantly impact your quality of life. It occurs when the tooth has worn down and the nerves are exposed. Enamel is a protective layer over the dentin of the tooth. When it wears away, the dentin is exposed which can cause your teeth to become sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. Teeth may also be sensitive to sticky, acidic, or sugary foods. Here are some of the common causes of tooth sensitivity.

Tooth Decay or Damage

Tooth decay leads to a wearing down of the enamel. Broken teeth can leave the dentin exposed, which will also lead to sensitivity. Preventing tooth decay requires brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once. It is also important to obtain regular dental cleanings.

Diet

Consistently eating a diet high in sugar or acid can lead to tooth decay. Soda is one of the biggest causes of tooth decay. Changing the foods you eat can help you strengthen your teeth and prevent damage from occurring.

Brushing Too Hard

Brushing too hard consistently or with a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear away the enamel of the teeth. Similarly, too harsh whitening agents can result in damage to your tooth. These are all capable of resulting in tooth sensitivity.

Tooth Grinding

Grinding your teeth at night can cause damage to them and leave the dentin exposed. Obtaining a night guard or practicing relaxation methods can help prevent sensitivity from occurring.

Whitening Treatments

Whitening treatments often cause temporary sensitivity. The sensitivity should fade in time.

If tooth sensitivity is unbearable or lasts for an extended period of time, you should contact your dentist to ensure there isn’t a serious underlying problem. Your dentist will be able to pinpoint what is causing your tooth sensitivity. To learn more about how to prevent tooth sensitivity, contact us at Jenson Dental today!

Is Diet Soda as Bad for your Teeth as Regular Soda?

 

Soda is never good for your teeth. Many people use diet sodas as a “healthier” alternative to regular soda, but it is only marginally better for your health. The best thing for your health is to stop drinking soda entirely. If you continue to drink soda, there are a few steps that you can take to help minimize the damage done to your teeth.

How Soda Hurts Your Teeth

Soda is an extremely acidic substance. Every time you take a sip of soda, it begins an acid attack on your teeth. With regular sodas, this is compounded by the sugar content. Sugar feeds bacteria, adding further to the resulting damage. Though diet soda doesn’t have the sugar, it is still very acidic. People also tend to sip soda. Sipping soda means that the acid attack just repeats consistently.

Minimizing the Damage

There are several ways to minimize the damage caused by soda consumption. Try to drink soda all in one time period rather than sip it throughout the day. Limit your soda consumption. Water is a much healthier alternative. Rinse with water after drinking soda to remove particles from your teeth. Using a straw can help redirect the liquid so that it doesn’t come into contact with your teeth. Don’t brush your teeth for 30 minutes after consuming soda. The acid attack will result in them being susceptible to damage.

Soda is not a healthy choice, under any circumstances. In an ideal world, you would drink water instead. However, soda is still a very popular drink of choice. Ensure that you take care of your teeth in any way you can. Rinse your mouth after consuming soda. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once. To learn more about how to protect your teeth, contact us at Jenson Dental today!

Is Periodontal Disease Contagious?

 

Periodontal disease is essentially an infection in the gums. It occurs when plaque builds up on the teeth, allowing bacteria to multiply. The bacteria then cause the gums to swell and become infected. Periodontal disease can lead to a variety of problems and can even result in tooth loss.

What Contributes to Periodontal Disease

There are many factors that contribute to periodontal disease. Most of these factors are based purely on the individual. Genetics can make you more vulnerable to periodontal disease. A poor diet can cause tooth decay and infection in the gums. The biggest contributing factor to periodontal disease is a poor oral hygiene routine.

Though individual factors are the main cause of periodontal disease, it is an infection. This means that it is caused by bacteria. Bacteria can be transmitted through saliva, slightly increasing your chances of obtaining periodontal disease.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

Preventing periodontal disease is always easier than fixing it after it has occurred. Practicing good oral hygiene is the most effective way to prevent periodontal disease. You must brush your teeth twice a day and floss once. Brush thoroughly and ensure that you remove all food particles from your teeth. Mouthwash can also help kill the bacteria that lead to periodontal disease. You should see your dentist for a professional cleaning every 6 months.

Try to avoid sharing saliva with someone who has periodontal disease. Don’t share drinks or utensils. Consider referring them to your dentist to help fix their oral health problems. Sharing saliva with someone with periodontal disease can increase your likelihood of getting periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease can cause many problems with your oral health. Keep in mind that though it may not be easy to reverse, it is always possible. See your dentist regularly to catch oral health problems before they progress. To learn more about how to prevent periodontal disease, contact us at Jenson Dental today!