{"id":4949,"date":"2019-12-13T13:03:08","date_gmt":"2019-12-13T21:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carolinacompletedental.com\/?p=4949"},"modified":"2026-01-21T20:47:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T20:47:44","slug":"top-5-causes-of-tooth-sensitivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carolinacompletedental.com\/blog\/top-5-causes-of-tooth-sensitivity\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Causes of Tooth Sensitivity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re one of the 40 million Americans with sensitive teeth, you must be familiar with the painful zing that follows a hot drink, a bite of ice cream, or just a deep breath of cold air. These and other elements can cause a sudden discomfort if you have sensitive teeth, also called dentin hypersensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Each of your teeth has an important protected layer called enamel. If your enamel gets worn down, your teeth can become more sensitive over time. Your enamel is the visible, white part of the tooth and it protects the softer, inner layers of each tooth. Receding gums can also reveal sensitive parts of the tooth that aren\u2019t protected by enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re living with sensitive teeth, it\u2019s good to know what causes the pain<\/a> and how to avoid it. You should also talk with your Goose Creek dentists<\/a> about how to treat sensitive teeth and prevent further damage to your enamel or gums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Causes of Sensitivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Underneath your enamel is a part of the tooth called the dentin. Dentin is soft tissue full of nerves, which can be sensitive and painful. Certain habits and behaviors are more likely to wear down your enamel or cause gum recession that increases tooth sensitivity. The top five causes of tooth sensitivity are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Brushing your teeth too aggressively and wearing down enamel and\/or gums<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Long-term exposure to acidic food and drinks such as citrus, coffee, and soda<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Tooth decay or broken teeth that expose the dentin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Broken or leaking fillings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Grinding your teeth<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re serious about avoiding or treating tooth sensitivity, talk with your dentist about which of these behaviors might be causing your problem. It\u2019s very important that you keep track of when your teeth hurt and where you feel the pain. Sometimes tooth sensitivity means there\u2019s another problem such as infection or cavity that needs a different treatment than just thinning enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Treating Sensitive Teeth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Depending on the exact cause of your tooth sensitivity, Carolina Complete Dental<\/a> may recommend:<\/p>\n\n\n\n