What’s the Difference Between Sensitive Teeth and Sensitive Gums?

Sometimes when pain comes on suddenly, it can be hard to find the source and treat it. This is made especially hard when the pain involves your teeth or your gums. To find the source of and treat mouth pain, you should know how to tell the difference between sensitive teeth and sensitive gums. So, here are a few easy ways to do just that without a hitch.

Sensitive Gums

Sensitive gums are exactly that -- pain or discomfort in the gums around your teeth. Symptoms can include swelling, tenderness, bleeding, and bad breath. According to the American Dental Association, gum sensitivity can also cause the initial stage of gum disease, which is gingivitis. As gingivitis progresses, it can advance into gum disease and eventually into receded gums. This all can be prevented with proper hygiene.

Poor oral health can cause plaque buildup – the main culprit behind gum sensitivity. Once plaque builds up along the gum line, that’s when people start to experience discomfort. Diabetes, pregnancy, crooked teeth, and tobacco use can all lead to sensitive gums.

Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive teeth have typical symptoms, such as individuals finding it hard to eat or drink. When brushing or flossing, the pain may become worse over a few or all your teeth. This can derive from having too many sweet or acidic foods in your diet -- overtime, tooth enamel starts to wear down. Once the enamel becomes thinner, that’s when you start to feel discomfort. To make brushing and flossing a more comfortable experience, you can buy toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Sensitive teeth can be a sign of gum disease, but it’s often caused by other various conditions. For example, cavities, fractures, exposed dentin, and loose fillings can all lead to tooth sensitivity. Grinding your teeth or brushing too hard can also make sensitive teeth worse.

Treatment for Sensitive Teeth and Sensitive Gums

Both sensitive teeth and gums can emerge from poor oral health and lead to more severe health issues. Fortunately, sensitive gums and teeth can be treated as well as prevented with a few adjustments in your oral health care routine. Once you figure out the cause of the pain and discomfort, treatment becomes a lot easier.

You can invest in products made for sensitive teeth and gums, and you can use fluoride gel and desensitizing toothpaste to strengthen your teeth. Using these products can make it easier to continue flossing without pain and maintain healthy teeth and gums. If you’re still unsure about the reason behind your discomfort, you can always consult your oral health professional to help reduce sensitivity and strengthen your teeth and gums.

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