Do you suffer from overly sensitive teeth? If you feel sharp, temporary pain when eating, drinking or brushing your teeth then the answer is probably yes. Tooth sensitivity is no picnic but it can be treated and prevented with simple home solutions and procedures performed by your trusted family dentist.
Treating Sensitive Teeth
Sometimes its as simple as switching to a desensitizing toothpaste or making regular applications of fluoride.
Other cases may need a bit more attention. Since tooth sensitivity is often the result of worn enamel or exposed roots, you may need to have a bonding resin applied to the site of the exposed root surfaces.
In cases of severe pain where other solutions prove ineffective, a root canal can do the trick. Root canals take care of sensitivity at a deeper level within the tooth’s soft core and provide excellent results when it comes to dulling over-sensitivity.
After taking care of sensitive teeth, there are a few things you can do to prevent further issues.
Preventing Sensitivity
First, keep up with your daily dental care. Brush twice a day and floss once a day, but be careful not to overdo it, as excessive brushing can lead to increased sensitivity.Teeth grinding can also contribute to sensitivity so make sure to use a mouth guard at night if necessary. When brushing, avoid using too much pressure and use a fluoride toothpaste for added protection.
It is also a good idea to watch the level of acidity in the foods that you eat. Acidic foods such as soda and citrus fruits work away incrementally at tooth enamel, so frequently consuming large quantities can add up to a lot of damage. Additionally, don’t brush your teeth right after eating acidic foods as the enamel becomes overly soft and vulnerable then.
Lastly, be careful with teeth whiteners and mouthwashes. Both products can cause tooth sensitivity, though with teeth whitening the effects are usually temporary. Some mouthwashes have acidic ingredients that cause sensitivity. If you think you might have this problem, you can get a neutral fluoride solution from your friendly dentist.
