{"id":25,"date":"2019-03-21T18:14:11","date_gmt":"2019-03-21T18:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kentuckysedationdentist.com\/blog\/?p=25"},"modified":"2019-03-21T18:14:11","modified_gmt":"2019-03-21T18:14:11","slug":"sensitive-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kentuckysedationdentist.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/21\/sensitive-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Ouch! Why Do I Have Sensitive Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"\"womanDo you look forward to enjoying a steaming cup of coffee each morning? Do you love to sip on a tall glass of ice water after a long walk in the spring sunshine? You should be able to consume these beverages, and other hot and cold substances, without worrying that you\u2019ll end up in pain. Unfortunately, many people have sensitive teeth that cause them to stay away from anything that is too hot or too cold. Let\u2019s talk about what causes this problem and what you may be able to do about it.\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Science Behind Sensitive Teeth<\/h2>\r\nYour teeth have multiple layers. The outermost layer is the enamel. Its job is to protect the interior sections of your teeth, including the dentin and pulp. If the enamel gets worn thin or develops a cavity, it\u2019s easier for hot and cold temperatures to irritate a tooth\u2019s inner layers. Then, the nerve inside the tooth sends pain signals to your brain.\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s also possible for sensitivity to occur alongside gum recession. When the gums pull away from the teeth, the teeth\u2019s roots become exposed. Since the roots don\u2019t have enamel to protect them, they\u2019re more susceptible to pain when they come into contact with hot and cold substances.\r\n\r\nIn most cases, a sensitivity-reducing toothpaste and\/or a minor restorative dental treatment can enable you to start enjoying hot and cold treats again. Sometimes, though, tooth sensitivity is a sign that you could be heading for a dental emergency.\r\n

Don\u2019t Ignore Sensitivity!<\/h2>\r\nIf you feel that the pain from your sensitive teeth isn\u2019t too <\/em>bad and that you don\u2019t need to head to your dentist, you could be on the fast-track toward a serious oral health problem. If tooth decay or damage reaches the point where harmful bacteria infects a tooth\u2019s pulp, the pulp can become inflamed and cause major pain. The infection could even spread into the surrounding tissue and lead to systemic illness. Dental treatment to remove the infection, along with antibiotic treatment, may be necessary to alleviate the problem.\r\n\r\nHere are some signs that your tooth sensitivity has developed into a dental emergency:\r\n