I occasionally find it hard to keep up with my nighttime brushing routine, so I end up skipping it before bed every so often. However, I’m consistent about brushing every morning.
Every few weeks or months, I might go three to five nights straight without brushing (though I still brush in the morning). Following these lapses, my teeth become quite painful and sensitive, particularly to cold air or sugary and acidic foods. This discomfort usually persists for about a week and then clears up once I get back to a solid routine and stay away from triggers.
I used to think the pain was just enamel damage from poor hygiene, but that doesn’t really make sense if the sensitivity disappears once I start brushing regularly again.
I visited the dentist today, and she mentioned that feeling pain after missing a nightly brush isn’t typical. She thought perhaps my toothpaste provides a temporary shield against sensitivity, which wears off when I skip it. I’m skeptical of that idea, though, because I don’t use a specific “sensitive” brand; I rotate through different types and haven’t noticed any difference between them.
She offered two potential reasons for the general sensitivity: first, my birth control (I’ve been on it plus an anti-androgen for over two years, but I can’t recall if the sensitivity started then); second, jaw clenching. I’m wondering if clenching can cause pain on the front or back surfaces of the teeth rather than just the biting surfaces, since that’s where I feel it most.
I’d really value some input on what could be going on and how to handle it, as these theories are new to me. My previous dentist never brought up these possibilities.