What could be wrong with our tapwater?
January 4, 2011 9:32 PM Subscribe
What could be causing the hypersensitivity in my teeth to tap water at my parents' house?
A few months ago, I had to come back to my parents' place in Virginia, and soon after, noticed that I had hypersensitivity in my teeth to their tap water and to hot and cold beverages. I went to a dentist who told me that I need to get a few cavities filled. I haven't had a chance to get those filled yet. However, this past week, I have been away from my parents' house, and have had no issues with any water nor with any hot nor cold drinks. Thinking back on this, out of the 5 countries and 4 states I have been to in the past three years, I have had absolutely no problems with with my teeth, but within days of coming back to my parents' place, these sensitivity issues flare up. My food and drink consumption has stayed very similar regardless of where I have been, so I am guessing the only possible explanation is something about the tap water.
Any clue what might be causing this? What kinds of water tests should I have done to figure out the problem? Would buying a Brita filter be enough to deal with the issue, or might this be something more serious?
A few months ago, I had to come back to my parents' place in Virginia, and soon after, noticed that I had hypersensitivity in my teeth to their tap water and to hot and cold beverages. I went to a dentist who told me that I need to get a few cavities filled. I haven't had a chance to get those filled yet. However, this past week, I have been away from my parents' house, and have had no issues with any water nor with any hot nor cold drinks. Thinking back on this, out of the 5 countries and 4 states I have been to in the past three years, I have had absolutely no problems with with my teeth, but within days of coming back to my parents' place, these sensitivity issues flare up. My food and drink consumption has stayed very similar regardless of where I have been, so I am guessing the only possible explanation is something about the tap water.
Any clue what might be causing this? What kinds of water tests should I have done to figure out the problem? Would buying a Brita filter be enough to deal with the issue, or might this be something more serious?
There could be a whole lot of causes for this, but my best guess is maybe that water is a little more acidic than what you are used to? Just a shot in the dark, but pH test strips are pretty cheap and would probably be where I would start.
posted by Menthol at 11:24 PM on January 4, 2011
posted by Menthol at 11:24 PM on January 4, 2011
Do they have an older house with lead pipes? If so, the lead exposure may not be significant enough to cause any symptoms associated with toxicity, but it could theoretically be affecting your teeth.
posted by amyms at 11:43 PM on January 4, 2011
posted by amyms at 11:43 PM on January 4, 2011
It could just be coming out of the tap colder than you're used to. In some places, tap water can be downright bracing in the winter.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 12:34 AM on January 5, 2011
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 12:34 AM on January 5, 2011
You mentioned that you "had to" go to your parents' place. Was going/being there emotionally stressful? Do you grind your teeth when stressed? I do, and the grinding sometimes traumatizes my teeth enough to make them hypersensitive.
posted by jon1270 at 2:35 AM on January 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jon1270 at 2:35 AM on January 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: No, not here due to stress, not drinking excessively cold tap water, not an old house that would have lead pipes. I thought about testing the ph levels. Any other suggestions on tests to do in case it's not a problem withe acidity?
posted by msk1985 at 8:21 AM on January 5, 2011
posted by msk1985 at 8:21 AM on January 5, 2011
Total shot in the dark here, and probably completely wrong, but considering that different sources of water have different mineral content, maybe it's something about the composition of the water unrelated to the pH value?
posted by StrawberryPie at 9:56 AM on January 5, 2011
posted by StrawberryPie at 9:56 AM on January 5, 2011
Have you had a cold or allergy causing any nasal congestion? My teeth are normally slightly sensitive to cold, but the sensitivity gets much worse anytime I'm congested.
Have you used any different toothpaste or mouthwash? Some can be pretty irritating.
posted by Corvid at 12:05 PM on January 5, 2011
Have you used any different toothpaste or mouthwash? Some can be pretty irritating.
posted by Corvid at 12:05 PM on January 5, 2011
Response by poster: There are no other factors contributing to the hypersensitivity, such as nasal congestion. I have also been using toothpaste with prescription levels of fluoride, which doesn't help in the house. However, I went to the DR and to New York for a few days each last week, and had absolutely no problems with my teeth.
The only thing I am asking is if people have suggestions on water tests to run other than acidity levels? (I'll do that one tomorrow.)
posted by msk1985 at 8:21 PM on January 5, 2011
The only thing I am asking is if people have suggestions on water tests to run other than acidity levels? (I'll do that one tomorrow.)
posted by msk1985 at 8:21 PM on January 5, 2011
Does their neighbor's water hit you the same way? Public water fountains in the area, or water at local restaurants?
If this is city water, you should be able to find some gov't entity or water utility publication in the area, somewhere, that has lists of results of water safety testing. If this is a well, you should be able to get it fully tested somewhere (sometimes private companies, sometimes through your county agricultural extension office). There are many, many things that can be in water, from minerals in the local aquifer to additives to runoff to leakage from industry and more. Maybe it's particularly hard or soft water. Maybe your parents have some kind of whole-house filter or water softener that's affecting you.
Maybe there's some kind of allergen in the house/environs that is causing mild swelling in your gums somehow. Not necessarily the water, just something that happens to be there also.
posted by galadriel at 9:20 AM on January 6, 2011
If this is city water, you should be able to find some gov't entity or water utility publication in the area, somewhere, that has lists of results of water safety testing. If this is a well, you should be able to get it fully tested somewhere (sometimes private companies, sometimes through your county agricultural extension office). There are many, many things that can be in water, from minerals in the local aquifer to additives to runoff to leakage from industry and more. Maybe it's particularly hard or soft water. Maybe your parents have some kind of whole-house filter or water softener that's affecting you.
Maybe there's some kind of allergen in the house/environs that is causing mild swelling in your gums somehow. Not necessarily the water, just something that happens to be there also.
posted by galadriel at 9:20 AM on January 6, 2011
Check with your extension office: http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/356/356-485/356-485.html
Culligan Man? Culligan’s New Analytical Lab Testing Services
posted by at at 2:56 AM on January 11, 2011
Culligan Man? Culligan’s New Analytical Lab Testing Services
posted by at at 2:56 AM on January 11, 2011
« Older Respectful retreats on the online dating scene | iThing lovers, please refresh me by getting my... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by gjc at 11:18 PM on January 4, 2011