tooth sensitivity to acidic food (?)

March 12, 2013 10:36 AM

YNMD, and I have an appointment with a dentist next week. until then, I am just hoping to find some information and calm myself down, because I freak out irrationally much about teeth stuff. I think one of my teeth is sensitive to acid food? but I am not sure, and I am not sure how to describe this to the new dentist.

my last cleaning and check up was at the end of last July, during which I got a clean bill of health.

in the last couple of months, one of my back teeth (either the last one or second to last one) has occasionally have this weird feeling. it's not pain-- but it feel like a little electric shock. the best I can describe is that it feel like when I suck my teeth really hard, but from inside. either way, it's not painful, just weird. It only happens when I am extremely sleep deprived. when I am exhausted, it some times just do that on its own, other times it follows when I drink coffee, or eat carbs and not brush my teeth right away and it turns acidic. when I am we'll rested it doesn't
t happen at all.

I won't see a dentist till next week, and either way ibis is a new dentist so I am really nervous. what might this weird kelectric shock feeling be? how should I describe it to the dentist? I brush twice a day and floss most days, but I have had a lot of dental problems when I was younger so now I am super paranoid.

posted by atetrachordofthree to health & fitness (5 answers total)

This sounds like very a common problem, one that I've experienced too. I'm sure your dentist can tell you more if you describe your experience just as you did here. In the meantime, there are lots of resources online about sensitive teeth that mention avoiding acidic foods, as well as other things your dentist might advise to fix the problem.
posted by mbrubeck at 10:40 AM on March 12

Sensitive teeth are really common and are not usually indicative of a real dental issue. I have really cold sensitive teeth and can't drink cold drinks or eat ice cream without some tooth pain. It is what it is. Sensodyne is super helpful, though.
posted by ablazingsaddle at 10:53 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]

I had this problem, too. I have sensitive teeth. I had more sensitivity in the back when I was clenching, before I got a night guard. I use a low foaming toothpaste in a non-mint flavor (Biotene for PBF is my go-to -- there's a mouthwash that goes with it, but I just use whatever mouthwash is handy) and also use MI Paste (which my old hippie dentist recommended for sensitive teeth; I started buying it online after I no longer had a hippie dentist because it's a lot cheaper -- that website has been a good experience for me). I had to stop using my electric tooth brush when my teeth got too sensitive, though and opt for a medium bristle one, which takes longer to brush with. I don't have much sensitivity any more, with this regimen, and I would only put my night guard usage at 50%.

Tooth sensitivity was not a sign of any big dental decay for me. If anything, it was a sign of going to town with my Oral B with floss action mechanical tooth brush 3x a day! My teeth got sensitive from the scrubbing. Some remineralizing and fluoride sealant treatment at the dentist built them back up.
posted by sweltering at 10:59 AM on March 12

I have one tooth that is sensitive enough to temperature differences that the touch of my orthodontist's finger would make it hurt, while his assistant's finger wouldn't. (I was not happy when my orthodontist discovered this, as he spent a few minutes gleefully calling over EVERY ASSISTANT HE HAD IN THE OFFICE to demonstrate my reaction.) So I suspect any dentist will have come across oddly sensitive teeth in his or her time.

I've been using Tom's of Maine Sensitive toothpaste for a few years now, and that seems to have quieted it down enough that I actually forget it exists, even through dental appointments, although I still tend to flinch in anticipation when the hygienist approaches it.
posted by telophase at 11:00 AM on March 12

IAAD and you've described it just fine. Sensitivity of this type is common, but has quite a few causes. No need to get worked up about it in advance if the symptoms aren't keeping you from eating or sleeping.
Go over you symptoms before the exam and warn your dentist if the tooth is very sensitive to touch or metal, that way unnecessary stimulation can be avoided.
I tend to believe my pt's when they tell me something is likely to set the tooth off, and try to avoid it when i can.
the more info you can bring the better. any pattern you can discern is always helpful, as is anything you do to make the tooth feel better.
good luck
posted by OHenryPacey at 12:07 PM on March 12