Tooth sensitivity is one of the common dental problems people experience nowadays. It involves teeth discomfort and pain, especially when you encounter particular substances and temperatures. When you experience any symptoms of teeth sensitivity, it may be time to visit your personal dentist.
If you have sensitive teeth, certain activities such as drinking and brushing can trigger the pain. Other things can also aggravate such as eating sweet and sour foods or even when breathing cold air.
However, some factors such as a cavity, worn filling, cracked or chipped tooth, and gum diseases can also cause tooth discomfort. So if you’re bothered by sensitive teeth, here’s a list of tips that your dentist might recommend to help you with your issue.
Use Toothpaste Made for Sensitive Teeth
There are several stores on the market today that are selling toothpaste specially designed for people who have sensitive teeth. These kinds of toothpaste contain potassium nitrate, an active element which helps block the tiny tubules in the dentin to prevent having sensitive teeth.
It might not work for everybody, but most professionals agree that it’s usually the best thing to do. Using a desensitizing toothpaste may help reduce sensitivity on your teeth, thus making it one of the best relieving solution. In some cases, most professionals advise their patients not to stop using it.
In Office and At Home Remedies
If the sensitivity you experience is due to a cavity, you can always do a restoration. But if the cause is from the gums, your dentist can still perform a cleaning in the areas of your teeth. However, if the reason is from exposed dentin, here are some remedies you can follow to reduce teeth sensitivity.
At Home:
- Buy a toothbrush with a very soft bristle and use a low abrasive toothpaste.
- Just a reminder, DO NOT over brush as it could lead to gum injury.
- Brush your teeth correctly on both sides.
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste or a specially formulated toothpaste that could soothe the nerve endings of your tooth.
- You can find a high concentration fluoride toothpaste in some stores or given by your dentist to strengthen the surface of your teeth.
In Office:
- You can apply fluoride varnish to exposed areas to strengthen the enamel and dentin of the teeth.
- With the use of fluoride foam or gel, place it in a mouth tray, then with the formula on your mouth sit with it for 3-5 minutes. In this way, the formula provides your teeth with a high concentration of fluoride which can strengthen teeth enamel.
- Use a bonding agent. This is the same bonding material used to stick tooth-colored restorations to teeth. It can also be an effective material to seal the dentin surface which can be a barrier to the stimuli.
Avoid Acidic Foods and Drinks
Sometimes, the primary cause of teeth sensitivity is the food you eat. Unhealthy foods such as high-sugar carbs, soda, sticky candies, and other food that can attack the enamel can cause teeth sensitivity.
So to avoid having teeth sensitivity, you need to keep track of what you’re eating. Instead of taking unhealthy products, you can have fiber-rich fruits and green vegetables, cheese, plain yogurt, and milk. These foods can add moist in your mouth and can help fight acid and bacteria which can cause teeth sensitivity.
For healthy drinks, you can drink black or green tea, or have a sugarless gum. But if you do eat something acidic, always wait an hour before brushing your teeth, don’t rush to brush.
Prevent Having Sensitive Teeth
While home remedies relieve pain temporarily, there are also little things you can do to prevent more damages such as having sensitive teeth. These includes:
- If you tend to grind your teeth while sleeping, you can use a mouthguard to protect your teeth from getting further damages.
- One essential remedy to have healthy teeth is to maintain good oral hygiene.
- Some people use a particular type of toothbrush to prevent irritation and abrasions in their teeth. So it’s better to identify what type of toothbrush you should use. But to be sure, you can use a softer brush for your teeth.
- Always find time to visit your dentist. It’s essential to have a monthly or regular dental check-up to ensure healthy teeth.
- Limit the food you intake, especially acidic foods and beverages as it’s the primary cause of damages in the tooth enamel resulting in having sensitive teeth.
Takeaway
Having sensitive teeth is irritating and in some cases can lose appetite. So if you have sensitive teeth, don’t neglect your daily oral care routine, as that would always help you fight bacteria to strengthen your teeth.
On the other hand, if you want to seek any advice from a professional, you should visit your dentist to help you with your concern. If you don’t have any, you can always look for reliable dentists on other areas such as McDermott Orthodontics.
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