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Picture this: You bite into your ice cream cone on a hot summer day, but instead of enjoying your tasty treat, you immediately experience shooting pain in your teeth. Maybe you’ve experienced tooth pain triggered by hot soup, or even something as simple as breathing through your teeth! Chances are, you are struggling with dentin hypersensitivity, more commonly known as tooth sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common complaints we encounter among our dental patients. In fact, statistics show that one out of every eight Americans suffer from teeth sensitivity, with women being more likely to be affected. It can be a temporary or chronic condition, and it can affect all of your teeth or as few as one. Sometimes, even patients with perfect oral health can still experience sensitivity with their teeth, but more commonly, there is usually an underlying cause to this discomfort, such as:
- Brushing your teeth too hard.
- Grinding your teeth at night.
- Dental erosion caused by eating and drinking acidic foods and beverages.
- Tooth damage or underlying decay.
- Gum disease.
Our teeth endure daily wear and tear, so it’s easy to see how they can become sensitive in response to certain triggers. However, we strongly believe no one should have to live in constant discomfort. Luckily, we have rounded up some helpful tips to help you beat tooth sensitivity:
1. Use toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth.
There are several toothpastes specifically formulated to help with sensitive teeth. Most contain an ingredient that fills in tiny holes in your tooth enamel for a short time to help reduce the exposure of your tooth’s nerves. Combine this toothpaste with a mouthwash formulated for sensitive teeth for even better results.
2. Go easier on your teeth with a softer brush.
It seems counterproductive, but did you know you can actually brush your teeth too hard? Aggressive brushing can wear away your enamel and even cause your gums to recede, exposing more of your already sensitive teeth. Consider opting for a toothbrush with softer bristles and brushing a little less vigorously next time.
3. Wear a mouthguard at night.
Bruxism, or unconsciously grinding your teeth at night, can lead to tooth sensitivity. You may not even know you’re doing it, but this teeth grinding can wear away your enamel. At Simply Smiles, we can make you a custom mouth guard to wear during the night to protect your teeth.
4. Avoid foods and drinks with high acidity.
Acidic foods and drinks like coffee can eat away at your enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity. If you are experiencing extreme sensitivity when eating and drinking, it may be best to avoid these foods altogether, or limit your exposure to them as much as possible.
5. Be careful with teeth-whitening kits and bleach treatments.
Teeth-whitening kits and teeth bleaching can be harsh on your pearly whites. If you experience extreme sensitivity during or after home treatments, immediately stop the treatment and consult your dentist. There are also whitening kits formulated for sensitive teeth.
6. Go see your dentist.
Regular dental checkups every six months will ensure that your teeth are in good shape, and there is no underlying decay or damage that could be contributing to your tooth pain. Our expert team at Simply Smiles understands that everyone’s smile is different and different teeth respond to different stimuli. We can get you the help you need, tailored specifically to you.
Sensitive teeth can be frustrating, but you don’t have to live with that pain. Let our caring staff create a customized treatment plan to help you beat your tooth sensitivity. Do you have a home remedy not listed here that has helped you combat your tooth sensitivity? We’d love to hear in the comments!
Sources:
https://www.fidleronthetooth.com/blog/5-valuable-tips-beat-tooth-sensitivity-pain/
https://www.healthline.com/health/sensitive-teeth#Whats-the-outlook-for-tooth-sensitivity?
https://www.wesleydentistry.com/10-tips-for-dealing-with-sensitive-teeth/
https://www.dentalhealth.org/sensitive-teeth
https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2017/12/senstive-teeth.php