Everyone loves that fresh, clean feeling after their dental cleanings. Yet, if other sensations are felt, such as tingling, it often causes people to worry.
While the source of the tingling may not be serious, it can be a sign that there is something that needs correction, like you are brushing your teeth too hard.
You Have Nerves And Blood Vessels In Your Teeth
The enamel of your teeth—the hard outermost layer of your teeth—is the hardest substance in your body. However, just because the enamel is hard doesn’t mean that everything inside the structure of your tooth is equally tough.
Under the dentin—tooth layer directly below the enamel—you have your dental pulp, which includes highly sensitive nerves and blood vessels to keep your teeth alive. These nerves help you determine how much pressure you need when biting food, assist with speech as you move your mouth and tongue around your teeth to shape words, and more.
So, temporary discomfort, tingling, and other responses to doing things like scraping your teeth on a fork are to be expected due to the nerves in your teeth. However, if your teeth tingle with no clear indicator or will sporadically start and stop tingling, it may be time to visit our dental clinic for a checkup.
Reasons Why Your Teeth May Tingle
There can be many reasons why your teeth may start tingling. Some of these issues can be resolved at home, but for others, you will need to access dental services to fix the source of your dental discomfort.
- Hard teeth brushing – When you use a hard-bristled toothbrush or simply brush your teeth too hard, you can wear down the enamel of your teeth. The more worn-down your enamel, the more of your sensitive dentin is exposed, and the more likely that your teeth will tingle. There is no way to replace the enamel, but you can work on using a more gentle toothbrush and toothpaste that is formulated for sensitive teeth.
- Teeth grinding or clenching – Often an unconscious action, bruxism—grinding your teeth in your sleep—or clenching your teeth can make your teeth tingle. Repeated clenching or grinding of your teeth can wear them down, exposing your sensitive dentin and potentially developing cracks in your teeth with the excess pressure. Using a custom nightguard can help protect your teeth in your sleep.
- Cavity – Pain is a common response when a cavity develops; however, it is not the only response you may feel. For a small cavity, your tooth may just tingle initially. As the cavity progresses, the tingle can change to pain until the issue is addressed.
- Acidic foods and drinks – Foods and drinks that are highly acidic can erode the enamel of your teeth, leaving them more sensitive and prone to tingling. Rinsing your mouth with water after consuming acidic foods and drinks can help reduce the impact.
- An issue with a dental filling – A dental filling can become loose over time, especially as your tooth expands and contracts around it. Your tooth may start tingling when a filling becomes loose and starts to move, which can only be corrected by having the dental filling replaced.
Visit Your Dentist In Billings, MT To Care For Sensitive Teeth
To take care of your tingling teeth, a dental cleaning is the first place to start. So, if you live in Billings, MT, you can visit Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for all your dental needs.
If you need to schedule an appointment to have a dental cleaning and to have your oral health checked, please contact us today to schedule your appointment. We look forward to helping you enjoy the best dental health possible!