If you long to bite into a crisp apple or enjoy an ice lolly this summer without wincing, you’re not alone. Thousands of people in the UK suffer from sensitive teeth and with summer fast approaching and the lure of ice cream and cold drinks increasingly apparent, now is the perfect time to see your dentist.
Sensitivity occurs when the enamel, the hard outer layer of the teeth, becomes worn, weakened or damaged. Beneath the enamel, lays the dentin, which contains the pulp, the living tissue of the tooth. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels and this is why you feel pain and discomfort when the dentin is exposed.
Most people find that they suffer increased sensitivity when they sip on hot or cold drinks or eat piping hot or cold food. It is also common to experience pain when your teeth come into contact with cold air.
If you have sensitive teeth, there are treatments and products that can help. You can buy specially designed toothpastes, which provide relief for sensitivity and help to protect the enamel, and we can also examine your mouth to check for problems, such as cavities. If you have a cavity, we will fill the tooth and this should hopefully help you to feel more comfortable.
We recommend adopting a preventative approach and trying to protect your enamel whenever possible. Avoid eating and drinking sugary and acidic foods, especially between meals and wait an hour before you brush your teeth if you have eaten. Once the enamel is worn, there is no way of replacing it, as it cannot be regenerated by the body, so it’s really important to try your best to look after it!
