The American Dental Association website claims that tooth sensitivities may be caused by a variety of factors including cavities, tooth fractures, exposed tooth roots and eroded enamel. Pay close attention to how you brush your teeth because improper brushing may cause gum irritation that can also cause pain around the teeth. If your sensitivity lasts longer than a few days, consult your dentist to rule out a serious dental issue.
Desensitizing Toothpaste
Try using desensitizing toothpaste, advises Worldental.org. These over-the-counter toothpastes help decrease the sensitivity by filling in the areas of enamel on the teeth that have been eroded over time. It may take several days of using a desensitizing toothpaste before you find relief.
Fluoride Rinse
Cavities may be the cause of tooth sensitivity. In order to help prevent or decrease the number of cavities in your teeth, start using a fluoride rinse once a day, advises Worldental.org. Fluoride rinses are available over the counter, but you may need a stronger one that is only available at a dentist's office.
Food Temperatures
Avoid extremely hot or extremely cold foods and drinks, especially eating one immediately after the other. The hot food causes the enamel on your teeth to expand, and the cold causes contraction. The quick expansion and contraction may cause cracks and fractures in your teeth, allowing the nerves to be exposed and creating sensitivity.
Acidic Foods
MotherNature.com recommends avoiding acidic foods and drinks such as tomatoes, citrus and many soft drinks. The acid can erode the enamel, exposing the nerves and making your sensitivities worse. According to Van B. Haywood, D.M.D., associate professor in the School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, summer is a time when many people start experiencing sensitivity in the teeth because they tend to eat more tomatoes and consume carbonated drinks.
Brushing
Use a soft bristled toothbrush, and brush gently rather than vigorously, advises Dr. Haywood. Brushing too hard with a hard bristled brush can wear the enamel off the teeth. Avoid sawing back and forth, or you may form a notch on the surface of the teeth, which also exposes the nerves. Be consistent throughout each brushing. Dr. Haywood claims that most people tend to brush vigorously in the beginning and slack off toward the end. Change the place you begin brushing and apply gentle, even pressure the entire time you brush your teeth.
Professional Dental Care
The Family Gentle Dental Care website recommends having your teeth professionally cleaned regularly. A dental professional has tools to remove particles that might be irritating your gums. The dentist or hygienist can instruct you on proper care of your teeth and address specific issues that may help. Other procedures they offer include a chemical desensitization or sealants to protect the surface of your teeth.
