There are sensitive nerves inside your teeth that respond to pressure, heat, cold, and other sensations. Sometimes this can be uncomfortable, and symptoms may be more severe if your enamel is eroding. Here are some of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity your dentist can help with.

What Your Dentist Wants You to Know About Causes of Tooth Pain

1. Cavities

If your teeth cleaning routine isn't effective enough, tooth decay can compromise your dental enamel. By the time you can feel pain from a cavity, it's already deep, so you need to visit your dentist promptly to get a filling.

2. Fillings

Certain kinds of fillings, particularly metal amalgam, can cause tooth sensitivity in response to heat and cold because the metal expands at a different rate than tooth enamel. If you have a filling that bothers you, you can avoid these triggers, or have it replaced with a different material.

3. Cracks

Tooth injuries may make your teeth more sensitive to pressure. Even if you can't see a crack, biting or chewing can put pressure on the weakened enamel and cause pain. This also exposes the tooth to infection.

4. Worn Enamel

Your dental enamel is designed to protect the tooth's softer interior. If you brush your teeth too hard or wear down the enamel in other ways, such as teeth grinding, the sensitive nerves inside the tooth have less protection. Additionally, acidic food and drinks can wear down enamel over time, so reduce your consumption of coffee, tea, citrus, and similarly acidic foods if you have sensitive teeth.

5. Receding Gums

An infection along the gumline can cause your gums to pull back from your teeth, exposing tooth roots, which have no enamel coating. Careful flossing can help prevent this condition, but if you are already experiencing gum disease, you need professional dental treatment to address it.

If you need to see a dentist for tooth sensitivity or tooth pain, make an appointment with Dr. Robert N. Petrtyl, DDS in Cincinnati, OH. For over 30 years, this Hamilton County dentist has offered compassionate treatment six days a week, including weekend and emergency visits as needed for patients in or around Blue Ash, Wyoming, Reading, Cincinnati, Mason, Finneytown, Mount Healthy, and Winton Hills. He offers restorative services such as fillings and root canals, and he and his team will do everything they can to prevent dental decay. To schedule an appointment, call (513) 554-4657, and visit them online to learn more about their services.