It’s estimated that ten percent of people in Australia suffer from sensitive teeth. That’s a significant number of people and proof that you are not alone. The good news is that there are steps you can take to alleviate the pain from sensitive teeth.
What Are Sensitive Teeth?
Your teeth are made with a hard coating of enamel on the outer surface. This is actually one of the toughest substances known on earth. Unfortunately, sugar in the food we eat reacts with bacteria in your mouth to create acid. This attacks your teeth and damages the enamel.
When the enamel is worn it is easier for things to affect the softer dentin and nerves inside the teeth. The greater the exposure of the roots the more sensitive your teeth will be. It should be noted that tooth sensitivity can also be a result of tooth damage or receding gums.
Because the soft dentin and nerves can be more easily affected, you will find your teeth notice hot and cold substances more. When they come into contact with a sensitive tooth a stab of pain will shoot through your nerves, you will feel the pain.
Although they are more common as you age, anyone can experience sensitive teeth, especially if you have just experienced a trauma to your mouth or specifically your teeth.
If you want to stop your sensitive teeth you can try the following:
Visit Your Dentist
Your first step should be to schedule a dental appointment. If you don’t already have a regular dentist, it’s time to find one. This dentist Petrie is an excellent choice.
When you visit you will need to tell them about your sensitive teeth. They can then have a good look inside your mouth to decide what is causing the issue.
If it’s a result of damaged enamel or a cavity then your dentist can fill the cavity. They can also apply a resin to your teeth that strengthen them and thicken the enamel layer, reducing sensitivity.
Should the issue be with your gums it is possible to transplant some of the tissue in your mouth to build up the gums and eliminate the problem of sensitivity.
However, before the dentist gets too carried away they will probably want you to try a few other, simpler, solutions.
Sensitive Toothpaste
You have probably seen the array of kinds of toothpaste on offer in any local store. It can be baffling to pick the right one. However, if you have sensitive teeth your decision is easier, you will want to look at the toothpaste made for sensitive teeth.
These tubes of toothpaste generally have a special ingredient that effectively fills tiny holes in your teeth. This prevents the hot liquids and food from coming into contact with your nerves and reduces, or even eliminates the sensitivity.
However, the toothpaste is only a temporary fill, that’s why you need to continue using the toothpaste.
Soft Toothbrushes
Stiff bristled toothbrushes are more likely to damage your gum line, making your sensitivity worse. The stiffness of the brushes can also damage your weakened enamel. This is especially true if you brush hard.
In addition, brushing too soon after eating will increase the likelihood of your enamel being damaged. This is because you will be brushing the acid into your teeth.
A soft-bristled brush can help you to avoid all these issues and prevent your sensitivity from becoming worse, combined with the right toothpaste it will actually decrease sensitivity.
Use a Mouth Guard
Some people damage their enamel at night when they grind their teeth together. You probably know if you grind your teeth, you will wake up with an achy jaw and your teeth are likely to feel peculiar.
The simplest way of preventing this is to use a mouthguard when you go to sleep. It is advisable to get a custom mouth guard created by your dentist. This will ensure you are not creating different issues while solving your sensitive teeth problem.
Daily Mouth Wash
Mouthwashes have been attacked in recent years as they can kill all the bacteria in your mouth, even the good ones. However, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a mouth wash. The most effective one is a simple mixture; one glass of water and a pinch of salt.
Once the salt has dissolved, swirl the mixture around your mouth for thirty seconds and then spit it out. It will not kill the bacteria.
However, it will change the pH level in your mouth, rebalancing it. The alkaline nature of your mouth prevents excessive bacterial growth and even reduces plaque.
The reduction in bacteria reduces the negative effects on your teeth and can actually help with reducing sensitivity. It’s a virtually free solution.
Coconut Oil
This is a more recent development but appears to be an effective option. Instead of using salt water as a mouth wash, you should use coconut oil. Its generally referred to as oil pulling.
The coconut oil sticks to your teeth, this prevents bacterial growth in your mouth. It can also reduce plaque growth and removes other toxins from your teeth. You will be improving the health of your teeth and gums, that’s a good thing!
The process is simple; one tablespoon of coconut oil. Swill it around in your mouth for twenty seconds and then spit it out. You can follow with a standard water rinse if you wish.
Reduce Sugary Foods Drinks
Sugar in food and drink is responsible for creating harmful bacteria in your mouth. This causes cavities and sensitivity. You can reduce the risk of this happening by eliminating sugary food and drinks from your diet.
It won’t just reduce the issues with your teeth, dropping sugars can help you to lose weight and feel fantastic.
Clove pain Relief
If you experience sensitive tooth pain you can take over-the-counter medications. However, in many cases by the time the medication kicks in the pain will have diminished.
Instead, keep a supply of cloves handy. Simply place a clove next to the sensitive tooth and the clove will do its thing. It temporarily numbs part of your mouth, eliminating the pain.
You can also mix cloves with essential orange oil which promotes the analgesic properties of the oil. Of course, these essential oils are very powerful and should only be used in moderation.
Surgical Options
Your dentist will try as many options as possible before they consider surgical options.
We have already mentioned grafting gum tissue to reduce sensitivity caused by receding gums. We have also talked about the use of resin to coat the tooth and desensitize it. But, your dentist can also apply fluoride directly to the teeth.
This has been shown to strengthen your enamel, blocking the bacteria from getting in and decreasing sensitivity.
In extreme cases, when nothing else has worked, your dentist may consider a root canal. This is when the dentist will open a path into the heart of your tooth and its roots. This is done by drilling a hole in the tooth. They will then clean the inside area of the tooth and fill it with a compound. This is a treatment often used to save damaged teeth instead of extracting them.
However, it has also been shown to be very effective when dealing with sensitive teeth. The good news is that while this procedure used to be painful, it isn’t anymore. That makes it a viable option of last resort.
Regular Cleaning
Of course, brushing twice a day and flossing regularly is still an essential part of preventing sensitive teeth. It’s not just about the technique or the type of toothpaste you use. A good dental hygiene regime will prevent the buildup of plaque and bacteria, effectively protecting your teeth from the harm which causes sensitive teeth.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to live with sensitive teeth. While they can develop as a result of neglecting your oral health, this is not always the case. But, regardless of how your teeth have become sensitive, you need to note that there are a variety of simple options that can resolve the issue.
In addition, regular checkups with your dentist will spot issues early and give you access to all the potential treatment options for sensitive teeth.
There is no reason to live in pain when you can get help.
Alongside this, sensitive teeth often mean you will be more likely to suffer from tooth decay as your enamel has been damaged or your roots exposed. Eliminating this issue will help you to look after your teeth and prevent future cavities.
In this sense, you can view sensitive teeth as a warning sign. If you pay attention to it your teeth will stay in better health and you won’t need to worry about sensitivity.
If you have any concerns you should make an appointment with your dentist today. They can guide you through the healing process and may even suggest some options that are not on the above list.
By Jesse Huges