Sensitive teeth can take a real bite out of your life, whether it's wincing while taking a sip of that cup of hot coffee or shuddering at the thought of ice water touching your lips. Sensitive teeth are caused by a number of different things, such as loss of enamel on the teeth or receding gums. But there are things you can do to ease the pain of sensitive teeth.
Mouth Guard
Sometimes, sensitive teeth are caused by grinding of the teeth, especially while sleeping. A dentist can tell through a routine checkup if you are grinding your teeth and if this is contributing to the sensitivity you're feeling. If this is the case, your dentist may prescribe a mouth guard for you to wear at night to prevent your teeth from grinding and causing other damage.
Special Toothpaste
When the minerals on your teeth erode, it can lead to increased sensitivity. Special toothpastes like Sensodyne contain potassium nitrate, which helps soothe the nerves in your teeth and decreases their sensitivity. Toothpastes with fluoride also help strengthen the enamel on your teeth, which prevents cold or hot liquids from penetrating the teeth and getting to the nerves.
Cleaning Teeth
Believe it or not, just making sure your teeth are clean after meals can go a long way to treating sensitive teeth. Brushing after meals or chewing sugarless gum can help reduce the sensitivity in your teeth. Foods with acid like citrus fruits and tomatoes eat away at the enamel of the teeth, but brushing or chewing gum after meals can help wash away excess food acid as well as increases saliva flow, which can promote the replenishing of the minerals our teeth need to stay healthy.
Proper Gum Care
Since receding gums are often a contributing factor to sensitive teeth, it's important to make sure your gums are healthy. Make sure you're using a toothbrush with soft bristles if you have receding gums, as hard bristles can cause the gums to recede. Regular flossing can help keep food and other particles out of your gums, which prevents gum disease and receding. When your gums are healthy, they act as a sort of blanket to the sensitive parts of your teeth, so keeping them healthy is essential to preventing sensitive teeth.
