When food and drinks prove to be too hot or too cold for your teeth but not for the rest of your mouth, then something is not right. If your teeth seem to suddenly develop their own nervous system, sending pain from the end of your tooth up to your gums, you may be suffering from tooth sensitivity (dentin hypersensitivity).
Common sense may tell us that the harder we brush our teeth, the healthier we make them. Do you have a strong grip on the toothbrush while you aggressively jerk the bristles over your enamel? Whereas you may imagine that you are scrubbing away all the plaque, you might also be harming your gums.
Brushing too hard can cause gum recession. You can literally brush away your gums. As your gums recede a little, the roots in your teeth are exposed. Your gums protect the roots. Therefore, when this happens you develop tooth sensitivity from the now unshielded nerves inside your roots.
Allen Family Dentistry has some brushing recommendations for you. Be sure you’re brushing with a soft bristle toothbrush. Rolling, light strokes are the best movements. During your next checkup, you can be sure that Dr. Allen and his team will measure your gum recession, if any, check for other tooth sensitivity causes, and review preventive homecare techniques.
An Invitation for Your Family
Dr. Jeffrey Allen provides comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. Call (641) 628-1121 today to schedule a checkup and cleaning, cosmetic consultation, or second-opinion visit. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella. IA. Please see the map for directions.
