General
Dealing With Sensitive Teeth by Joseph Devine
[Jun 18, 2008]
Sensitive Teeth - Causes and Solutions
People without sensitive teeth take many things for granted - a sip of hot coffee, a scoop of ice cream, a glass of cold water. For those of us with sensitive teeth, even the simple daily activities of eating and drinking can become painful and difficult.
What is the cause of sensitive teeth?
Inside every tooth is a soft, pulpy region which contains highly sensitive cells and nerve endings. Surrounding this pulp is a layer of dentin, a porous substance containing thousands of microscopic tubules. Finally, the tooth is protected by a layer of enamel, the hardest and toughest substance in the human body. When teeth are healthy, the enamel shields the nerves inside the teeth from outside sensation and allows you to ingest hot or cold foods without pain or discomfort.
When teeth become sensitive, it is a sign that this defensive layer of enamel has been compromised. There are a variety of ways this can happen. If you have a cavity, for example, acid formed by bacteria and decay has eaten into the enamel and exposed the porous dentin inside. Unlike enamel, dentin easily allows heat and cold pass through, resulting in painful sensations when you eat or drink. There are other ways for dentin to become exposed, including cracked or damaged teeth, a receding gumline, or the wearing down of enamel over time.