Good oral hygiene helps to keep your teeth healthy. But if you're staying away from your favorite hot and cold treats because of tooth sensitivity (sometimes referred to as "pangingilo", or "ngilo"), then adding a toothpaste with the right ingredients to your dental routine can help relieve the discomfort and have you enjoying that ice-cream tub in weeks!
So what causes tooth sensitivity? Teeth contain a soft, nerve-filled center, and a layer of dentin covers the pulp that exists at this level. Over the dentin lies enamel, covering teeth above the gum, and cementum coats your tooth roots below the crown. Enamel and cementum protect the inner tooth, but when they erode or break down, the pulp nerves have little to no protection from the temperature changes in the mouth - causing your teeth to become sensitive.
Although some people have naturally thin tooth enamel, there are other causes of eroded or broken enamel:
- Tooth decay
- Brushing aggressively
- Using a hard-bristled toothbrush
- Consuming highly acidic foods and beverages
- Tooth grinding
- Receding gums
- Some dental procedures like teeth whitening (this effect is temporary)