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Do you experience pain or tingling in your teeth, especially when eating sweet, hot or cold foods? Do brushing and flossing sometimes cause you to cringe? You may be suffering from teeth sensitivity — and you’re not alone: One in five adults suffers from sensitive teeth.

Pain from sensitive teeth usually comes and goes. If you have constant pain, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Discuss your symptoms with your dental professional to determine the cause and proper treatment of your condition.

Teeth Sensitivity Causes

In healthy teeth, porous tissue called dentin is protected by your gums and by your teeth's hard enamel outer layer. Dentin can become exposed due to receding gums, fractured or chipped teeth or erosion. Microscopic holes in the dentin, called tubules, connect to the nerve, triggering pain when irritated by certain foods and beverages.

But there are other factors that can cause tooth sensitivity:

• Brushing too hard: Brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can cause gum recession and root exposure over time
• Gum disease: Inflamed or sore gum tissue may lead to tooth sensitivity by exposing the root surface leading directly to the nerve of the tooth
• Your age: Because enamel can erode with age and expose dentin, sensitivity can increase with age
• Acidic foods: Eating acidic foods and beverages on a regular basis can cause enamel to erode, increasing the likelihood of sensitivity

Treating Teeth Sensitivity

To reduce teeth sensitivity, your dental professional may recommend using a soft-bristle toothbrush such as Oral-B® Sensitive Advantage a power toothbrush such as Oral-B® Vitality Precision Clean, or a desensitizing toothpaste such as Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste.

With Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste, you get sensitivity protection and more for a healthy mouth. In fact, among leading brands, Crest Pro-Health is the only toothpaste that protects all these areas dentists check most:

• Plaque
• Gingivitis
• Cavities
• Tartar
• Whitening
• Breath