The reason why our teeth are so sensitive to pain

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the use of thread Dental is important for healthy oral hygiene and can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease and plaque, collects 'Allure'. The dentist Ana Paula Ferraz-Dougherty, who is an ADA spokesperson, notes that should be used at least once a day, in addition to brushing for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste three times a day. "The idea is to eliminate bacteria and plaque between the teeth that a brush cannot reach," he says.

But, although you have good dental hygiene, that does not take away so that you feel pain in your teeth. Is about a defense mechanism which ensures that when a part of our teeth is damaged, we realize the inconvenience and do something about it, explains in 'Live Science' Julius Manz, director of the dental hygiene program at San Juan College in Farmington (New Mexico) and another of the ADA spokespersons.

"If you eat something too hot (or cold) or if the tooth is worn out pain occurs and this causes people don't use that tooth to try to protect it. Therefore, it is really a protection mechanism more than anything, "says Manz.

The part of the tooth that has nerves, the pulp, is not the only source of dental pain. The area that joins the jaw can also feel pain

If we did not feel pain when teeth are damaged, we would continue using until we destroy them. Something that is a big problem because, unlike sharks and alligators, we cannot replace them.

Damaged pulp

The teeth have three layers and only one of them, the inner one, can hurt. Is It is called pulp and contains blood vessels and nerves. Pain is the only sensation to which the nerves in the pulp respond, according to Manz. While people with dental sensitivity may complain, for example, of dental pain caused by heat or cold, the nerves of the pulp do not perceive temperature. Rather they feel pain, which may be associated with, for example, drinking a very cold smoothie.

The dentin, the middle layer, is alive but without nerves. However, dentin contains fluid that moves as the teeth move, and the pulp can feel the movement of that liquid. Third outermost layer it is the hard white enamel of the tooth, which is not alive and, therefore, can't feel anything.

Periodontal ligament pain

Although it is the only part of the tooth that contains nerves, Pulp is not the only source of dental pain. The periodontal ligament, which bind the tooth to the bone of the jaw and detects the position of the teeth while we chew, you can also feel pain. "Anyone who has had orthodontics can tell you that their teeth hurt. That feeling comes from there," Manz said.

If we do not feel discomfort when one of our teeth is damaged, we would continue to use it until we destroy it.

With pulp and periodontal ligament detection pain, it can be difficult for people to know where the pain comes from of the teeth. Discover it, adds the oral expert, is one of the challenges of being a dentist.

Teeth whitening

Sometimes people turn to aggressive whitening treatments your teeth, something that could cause pain. But there are several ways to do it without going through a consultation.

"Chew raw and crunchy fruits and vegetables it can mechanically remove food and bacteria from teeth and mouth, while cleaning surface stains to prevent the appearance of muted teeth, "says the dentist Marc Lowenberg to 'Real Simple'.

The whitening toothpastes They also work. Most dentists say so, with a but: they will only remove surface stains, and will not change the color of your teeth. Thus, as Lowenberg points out, if your teeth are starting to look yellowish due to age, a whitening toothpaste may not help much. It is a not too expensive method and does not cause tooth sensitivity. The only thing to keep in mind, according to Lowenberg, is to try to use them every day in order to prevent stains from accumulating.