Why do my teeth feel sharp on my tongue

Teeth tingling is a prickling or stinging sensation in your teeth and might be accompanied by inflammation or bleeding gums. Usually, this is nothing to worry about, and your dentist will provide you with relief for the sensitivity.

There are a number of factors that cause teeth tingling, and making an appointment with your dentist will help you identify the source of the problem. Four reasons to why you might be experiencing teeth sensitivity that we'll cover include

1. Pulpitis, or a toothache
2. A worn tooth enamel
3. Teeth grinding
4. Gum recession

1. Pulpitis

Pulpitis, often referred to as a toothache, is an inflammation of the dental pulp — the connective tissues and cells in the center of your teeth. If the pulp comes into contact with irritants — such as impacted food in the gum, tooth decay or gum disease — you might experience a tingling sensation on your teeth.

Avoiding cold and hot food or taking an over-the-counter painkiller could reduce some of the pain. But it's best to visit your dentist, who will take an X-ray of your teeth and prescribe the right treatment. Sometimes, pulpitis can be reversed with a simple tooth filling.

2. Worn Tooth Enamel

Your tooth enamel — a hard substance that covers the crown of each tooth — can become worn down over time, causing your teeth to tingle. Acids from sugary drinks and processed foods often break away the enamel surface, making it more sensitive to irritants. Hard toothbrushes are another culprit of tooth enamel erosion, and you might experience a tingly sensation if you brush your teeth too hard.

[RELATED: Do you brush your teeth properly? Find out!]

Your tooth enamel could also be eroded due to

Unfortunately, you can't restore your tooth enamel after it's been damaged, but there are a number of ways you can take better care of your teeth. The American Dental Association recommends you use a soft-bristled brush for teeth cleaning, for example.

Another solution for ceasing wear on the enamel would be to limit your intake of sugary, acidic, and highly-processed foods. Switch to foods that promote oral health, such as cheese, leafy greens, and yogurt.

3. Teeth Grinding

Most people grind their teeth at some point in their lives. Regular teeth grinding, however, increases sensitivity and could damage your jaw bone. Bruxism — the medical name for teeth grinding — affects 10 percent of Americans, and is characterized by a clenching of the teeth, which usually occurs during sleep.

Oftentimes, teeth grinding is a result of stress or anxiety during the day. Other causes can include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sleep apnea, too much caffeine, and depression. Bruxism sometimes can be a side effect of a new medication as well.

There are a number of treatments for bruxism, and many of these will stop any tingling sensation you experience. A dentist might recommend you wear a mouthguard, for example, or suggest muscle relaxation and breathing techniques to lessen the symptoms.

4. Gum Recession

Gum recession is another cause of teeth tingling. This occurs when the gum tissue pulls away to reveal more of the tooth, creating gaps between the teeth and gum line. When bacteria fills these gaps, you might experience mild sensitivity or a dull pain. Various factors cause gum recession, including genetics, vigorous tooth brushing, and poor oral health.

Even if you take care of your dental hygiene, you might still develop a receding gum line. "Some people may be more susceptible to gum disease," says WebMD. "In fact, studies show that 30 percent of the population may be predisposed to gum disease, regardless of how well they care for their teeth."

While your gums can heal, they cannot grow back. However, a surgical procedure called a gum graft can potentially reverse the damage of gum disease. Pinhole surgery is another procedure that's minimally invasive and will help to correct a receded gum line.

Seeing a dental hygienist for a regular cleaning could prevent gum recession getting worse. The hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from the root surfaces of your teeth, instantly destroying harmful bacteria. Better oral care, such as flossing, will prevent the bacteria from returning in the future.

What to Do About Tingling Teeth

Teeth tingling is more than a nuisance. It signals that there is an underlying issue with your teeth that you need to resolve. One in eight people experience tooth sensitivity in some form, according to a recent study. Only a dentist, however, knows how to fix the problem and prevent this unwanted sensation from getting worse.

The doctors at Main Street Dental can help with any questions or concerns you have about sensitive teeth. Request an appointment today!

First things first, book an appointment with your dentist because they need to have a look and try to intervene before your damaged tooth worsens. Having a sharp edge in your mouth can be bad news since it creates an opportunity to cut your cheek or tongue, creating a risk for infection. Chipped enamel can also cause tooth sensitivity and pain.

What makes teeth chip? There are a few different things that could have happened. One possibility is that it was a tartar buildup that calcified and chipped off. Another option is that you were already experiencing tooth decay which made the tooth weak, and it broke off with some aggravation. With tooth decay, a cavity can weaken the tooth from the inside out to the point where it creates a small chip.

If you managed to grab the piece that chipped off, you could do a quick test by pressing down on it with something hard (like a spoon) and seeing if it breaks easily. Teeth are very strong, so they shouldn’t be able to break — but tartar will. The colour is also a good indication of what the chipped piece is: if it’s partly brown or black, it’s probably tartar. Visit your local Winnipeg dentist for a checkup as soon as possible.

If you suspect it’s tartar, don’t try to remove the rest of the plaque buildup by yourself or you could seriously harm your teeth or gums. Book an appointment at one of our Winnipeg dental clinics as soon as possible to restore your chipped teeth. Remember, we can accommodate same-day bookings for dental emergencies, so if you want relief, our dentists are happy to help.

Broken, fractured or chipped teeth are a very common event. It usually doesn’t cause any immediate pain to the tooth, but can quickly become very painful to the tongue. You will notice it gets worse quickly if required to talk a lot.

At Sarasota Dentistry, we consider this a true dental emergency and encourage our patients to come in right away so that we can fix the sharp tooth. Calling your dentist for an appointment right away is the best option. But, if you are away or you can not reach the dentist’s office, there are some at-home remedies to get you out of pain until you can visit your dentist. First, let’s look at how a dentist may fix a sharp broken tooth:

In-Office remedies for a chipped or broken tooth causing pain to your tongue

• Smooth the sharp area with a dental bur and polish
• Repair the cracked filling, crown, or tooth with tooth colored bonding
• Repair the cracked filling, crown, or tooth with a new dental crown or onlay
• Place a temporary sedative filling to provide comfort until you can return to have permanent work done
• A severely cracked or broken tooth could require removal of the tooth and placement of a dental implant or dental bridge

Now that we know how dentists fix broken teeth, what can you do to fix a broken tooth at home? It’s a great question. Here are some of Sarasota Dentistry’s best tips for how to fix a cracked tooth at home while waiting to get to the dentist:

At-Home remedies for a sharp broken or chipped tooth cutting your tongue

• Try to see your dentist first: don’t put a Dremel tool in your mouth! Note that anything you put in your mouth could be swallowed or aspirated (inhaled) so be careful!
• Go to your local drug store and ask for temporary filling material. One brand is Dentemp dental filling and cap repair material. Mix as directed and apply to chipped area forming a smooth surface to your tongue. The drug store also sells a temporary crown material if you loose or chip a large portion of your crown or filling. This comes in handy if it is a front tooth – chipped, broken, or missing front teeth can be very embarrassing!
• Wax is another temporary solution. If you ever had braces, you have used orthodontic wax around sharp wires and brackets. This was may be available at your local drugstore.
• Anything that sticks to the tooth could be a temporary solution. Chewing gum placed over the fractured area has worked well as a temporary solution for many patients.
• Some have also tried to file or smooth their tooth. This is a risky proposition and not recommended. Definitely not a good idea if you feel any pain. A nail file is usually the instrument of choice. Diamond coated abrasive surface may work most efficiently. Don’t bother with an Emery board. Tooth enamel is very hard and requires either a sharp carbide blade or diamond surface to cut and smooth.
• Limit the amount of talking and chewing until the broken tooth is patched or repaired in order to minimize the long-term pain.
• Pain pills and numbing gel will only mask the pain and allow the soft tissue ulceration to worsen.

Visit Sarasota Dentistry to fix your sharp, chipped, or broken tooth.

Call the dental offices of Sarasota Dentistry to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hank Michael at (941) 929-7645 or e-mail us today!

Dr. Michael and his staff focus on providing painless dental services in a welcoming atmosphere. His dental expertise includes general dentistry, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, oral & I.V. sedation, full mouth reconstruction, teeth bleaching, veneers, laser dentistry, metal-free crowns, inlays/onlays, and dentures to enhance both your health and appearance.