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Show Your Teeth Some Respect

Think about how many times per day you rely on your teeth. You use them to chew breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. You press your tongue against them to make certain sounds when you speak. There's really no doubt about it — your teeth are important, and they deserve your respect. You can pay them that respect by visiting your dentist for regular cleaning and checkup appointments. You should also call at the first sign of dental pain, tooth discoloration, or other oral health changes. Read more about dentists and dentistry here on this blog, where we dive deep into related topics.

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Show Your Teeth Some Respect

Why Is One Tooth So Sensitive?

by April Myers

If you have one tooth that is overly sensitive to ice cream, coffee, or anything else that is hot or cold, you may want to discuss this with your dentist at your next visit. When just one tooth feels this way, you should find out why, as this is not normal. Here are three reasons you might feel sharp twinges of pain and sensitivity with one tooth in your mouth.

1. The Tooth Lost Too Much Enamel

The first thing that can cause sensitivity with a tooth is a loss of tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is something teeth naturally have when they erupt in your mouth. Enamel does not replenish itself, though. If you grind your teeth a lot or you brush your teeth too forcefully, it can rub the enamel off your teeth. There are many ways you can lose enamel from your teeth, but this always results in the same problem: extreme sensitivity. When you lose enamel, you expose the inner parts of your teeth. This exposure is the cause of sensitivity.

2. The Tooth Has a Cavity

The second cause of sensitivity with a tooth is cavities. If you have a cavity on a tooth, it also exposes the inner parts of your teeth. A cavity makes a tooth vulnerable and needs to be removed and replaced. Until you remove the cavity, you will likely feel pain and sensitivity with this tooth. To avoid feeling extra pain when eating or chewing, consider contacting a dentist right away to address the cavity. 

3. The Tooth Is Infected

When a tooth becomes infected, you might feel sensitivity and extreme pain. You might even develop a horrible toothache. When you have an infection in a tooth, it is an infection of the roots of the tooth. The infection forms when bacteria enters the tooth and gets into the roots. The bacteria in the roots cause the infection to form, and you will end up with pain. The only way to treat this problem is through a root canal or tooth extraction procedure, and your dentist can explain your options if you have an infected tooth.

These are the three most common reasons you may feel extreme sensitivity with just one tooth. If you have these feelings, consider contacting local clinics such as Silverstone  Family Dental and make an appointment. Delaying the necessary treatment may only cause the pain to worsen.

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