What Can You Do About Sensitive Teeth?
Ever find yourself wincing after a sip of hot coffee or a delicious bite of freezing cold ice cream? Does your at-home oral care routine leave a lot to be desired – because brushing and flossing are just too painful?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many people suffer from tooth sensitivity; the good news is that there’s plenty you can do to help fix your situation and enjoy the benefits of less sensitive teeth!
What is tooth sensitivity?
Just under the upper layer of enamel, you’ll find the inner part of your tooth – the dentin – which is riddled with small, hollow tubes that are connected to the nerves of your tooth. In healthy teeth, the enamel protects the more sensitive inner dentin. When enamel starts to break down or becomes damaged, it exposes the dentin, which makes it easier for elements such as temperature and food to interact with the nerves of your tooth – thus causing tooth sensitivity.
Why are my teeth so sensitive?
So we know how tooth sensitivity works, but what causes sensitive teeth? The short answer is a lot of stuff! You may experience tooth sensitivity due to:
- Tooth decay or cavities
- Fractured or broken teeth
- Old fillings that have worn down
- Gum disease and gingivitis
- Exposed tooth roots
- Too many acidic foods and drinks
- Aggressive tooth brushing
- Overusing whitening products
- Teeth grinding or bruxism
- The wearing down of enamel with age
How to fix sensitive teeth
Just as there’s no one cause of tooth sensitivity, there’s also no one right treatment to alleviate sensitivity. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do!
Whether you’re just beginning to experience sensitivity or if you’ve been living with chronically sensitive teeth for as long as you can remember, one of the first and most important steps you can take is to talk to your dentist. Together you can discover what is causing your sensitive teeth and decide on a treatment.
Treatments can fall into one of two categories.
In-office treatments
For sensitivity stemming from causes such as fractured or broken teeth, your dentist may use in-chair techniques to help correct the problem and alleviate the sensitivity associated with it. In-office solutions include treatments such as:
- Fluoride gel to strengthen tooth enamel
- Crowns, overlays, bonding or other dental appliances
- Cavity fillings
- Root canal treatments to remove the tooth’s nerve
- Surgical gum grafts to cover the root of your tooth
At-home treatments
There are plenty of things you can do at home to help alleviate any pain caused by your sensitive teeth. At-home treatments can include:
- Using desensitising toothpaste or toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth
- Taking good care of your teeth and gums with proper daily oral hygiene routines
- Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle brushing to preserve your enamel and gums
- Rinsing with salt water to balance the pH level in your mouth
- Utilising oil pulling treatments to strengthen gums and teeth
- Consuming fewer acidic drinks and food
- Avoiding foods and drinks that are very hot or very cold
- Using a mouth guard at night
Stop being so sensitive – let White Glo help!
Why suffer through sensitive teeth if you don’t have to? There’s plenty you can be doing right now to help alleviate the pain of sensitive teeth – like investing in some high-quality toothpaste from White Glo.
Want more helpful dental tips and info? Be sure to keep your eye on our blog or reach out to our team today.