For anyone that has sensitive teeth, they know how difficult it can be to consume hot drinks like coffee or tea, eat frozen foods like popsicles or ice cream, clench your teeth together, or even breathe in cool air. If the pain is lingering or you have been experiencing severe discomfort for weeks, you need to take the necessary steps to reduce the pain associated with sensitive teeth. Here are a few ways to reduce and prevent sensitive teeth irritation:
Go Easy on Your Teeth While Brushing
Brushing your teeth requires technique; if you brush your teeth too hard, you may end up scraping the surface of your teeth. A common misconception when it relates to brushing your teeth is that if you don’t brush hard, you won’t be able to clean your teeth adequately. Remember, it’s more about the technique than it is about the force of your brush. Ensure that you purchase soft brush tips to refrain from tooth and gum abrasion.
Be Mindful of Your Diet
Your dietary choices will play a significant role in whether you experience tooth sensitivity or not. Citric fruits such as limes, lemons, oranges and grapefruits contain chemical properties that can erode the enamel on your teeth and contribute to dentin vulnerability. If you are already predisposed to tooth sensitivity, foods that are high in acidity and sugar (i.e. hard candy, chewy candy) may furthermore irritate your condition.
Make Your Oral Hygiene A Priority
After all, many oral health concerns stem from a lack of proper hygiene. Ensure that you brush your teeth on a minimum 2-3 times a day and that you floss 1-2 times per day. Plaque and tartar build-up are primary culprits when it comes to the deterioration of tooth enamel. If you do not attack the source of the sensitivity, it can lead to a plethora of different oral health concerns. Many individuals have sensitive teeth, it is a prevalent condition; however, failing to address sensitivity means there may be underlying oral health issues that need to be addressed.
Buy Toothpaste That Combats Sensitivity
Not all toothpaste is made the same, there are kinds of toothpaste designed for whitening, and there are kinds of toothpaste explicitly designed for children. If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, buy toothpaste that combats sensitivity and contains fluoride. You may observe a positive change in sensitivity!
Don’t Fight Through the Pain
It’s human nature to fight through discomfort and wait for the pain to subside. Do the wise thing and contact your family dentist. They will provide you with an in-depth analysis of your current condition and offer you valuable medical suggestions to eradicate pain.
To conclude, go easy on your teeth while you’re brushing, avoid foods that are bad for your enamel, ensure that you brush and floss at least 2-3 times per day, invest in toothpaste that fights sensitivity and visit your dentist for a more hands-on approach to combat tooth sensitivity.