Winter is coming:  Brrrrrrr!…Is the cold breeze hurting your teeth?

Are your eating, drinking and breathing habits causing your teeth to be sensitive? The most common complain among dental patients is tooth sensitivity, at least 40 million adults in the U.S. suffer from this.  Tooth sensitivity is caused by both the loss of tooth enamel covering dentin (layer beneath the enamel that contains the inner pulp or nerve) and exposure of the root surface. Common actions such as brushing too hard, using abrasive toothpaste (tartar control), drinking too many acidic drinks (soda and citric juices) and grinding of the teeth can contribute to a loss or flaking of the enamel.  Acid reflux and bulimia may also result in erosion of enamel.  If a tooth is highly sensitive 3 or 4 times a day, you must visit the dentist since pain symptoms can be similar and you could have a cavity, or a fractured tooth that is not yet visible. The dentist may prescribe a high concentration fluoride toothpaste or over the counter desensitizing toothpaste, sealants or other protective coating and filling which blocks the transmission of sensation from the outside of the tooth to the nerve.