On a purely mechanical level, tooth sensitivity occurs when the root at the center of a tooth is exposed to the elements. This tends to happen when the protective layer covering the outer part of the tooth gradually wears away. Teeth may seem to be solid, but experts say that they are actually porous, and without a layer of enamel to cover the spongy surface, cool air can make it all the way through the tooth to cause difficulty for the nerve within. Gum disease can also lead to tooth sensitivity because when the gums start peeling back, they tend to expose the roots, which don’t have a protective enamel layer. There can sometimes be a genetic predisposition that makes certain individuals more susceptible to tooth sensitivity than normal.
According to dental experts, the root cause of tooth sensitivity is usually related to the way people take care of their teeth. The mistakes that eventually ruin enamel can start very early in life. People often use a bit too much force when brushing their teeth, and they occasionally favor toothbrushes with excessively firm bristles. This may gradually eat away at the enamel until the underlying tooth becomes exposed.
Certain eating habits can also cause people to develop tooth sensitivity. Acidic food tends to damage tooth enamel if it’s eaten excessively. One example of a highly acidic food is soda pop, which is generally known to damage teeth over time, especially in people who don’t follow suitable dental hygienic practices.
On the subject of dental hygiene, many experts believe that neglecting tooth care is one of the more frequent problems leading to sensitive teeth. When people fail to keep their teeth clean, there is a danger of plaque buildup. This can gradually damage the enamel layer because it encourages bacterial infestations. These organisms will often feast on the outer layers of teeth, sometimes leading to catastrophic tooth decay, which can ultimately cause even more severe tooth sensitivity. In order to avoid tooth sensitivity, many experts recommend the use of soft-bristled toothbrushes and vigilant dental care from the earliest ages.
Sometimes people can do everything correctly and still have problems despite their best efforts because of genetic predispositions. These people may be born with more fragile teeth or less enamel than the average person, and it can be much harder for them to protect their teeth from eventual damage. Even in these cases, preventative measures are thought to mitigate the problem to some extent.