Have your teeth become irritating? Do you feel sensitivity in your teeth when you consume hot, cold, and acidic foods? Yes! It’s bad news for you as you have got tooth sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity is an exaggerated irritation and discomfort condition of your teeth. Sometimes only one or two teeth can become sensitive and sometimes your whole teeth can be sensitive to certain things. The sensitivity is usually an extreme response to hot or cold foods. Acidic foods, like soft drinks, etc. are also included in this category.
Furthermore, when your teeth become sensitive, they may cause discomfort even when getting in touch with cold air. However, the good news is that teeth sensitivity is also treatable like other dental problems. You need to follow a few tips to get rid of tooth sensitivity. However, before heading toward the tips and treatments to get rid of sensitivity, you must know the reasons behind tooth sensitivity.
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
You must be willing to know what causes sensitive teeth so you can avoid those things and prevent your teeth from this discomfort. The main reason for the sensitivity is the damage or removal of enamel. Enamel is the outer protective layer of your teeth which protects your teeth from different chemicals. However, it can be worn easily due to several reasons. When it is worn, dentine, the inner portion of your teeth gets exposed and you observe sensitivity. Let’s have a look at the things damaging the enamel layer of your teeth and leading to sensitivity.
Brushing too Hard
Brushing your teeth twice a day is a very good habit. However, it never means that you forget the basic rules of brushing and just rub the brush as hard as possible on your teeth. This technique is not going to give your teeth extra whitening or cleanliness. It only damages the enamel. Similarly, you must not use the hard brush as well because it has the same effect.
Continuous Use of Acidic Beverages
We all know acid is not good for our teeth. Several drinks and foods have acid in them. Controlled use of such beverages doesn’t do any bad to your teeth. However, when you opt for excessive use of them, the acid present in these beverages will start tearing the enamel layer. It results in sensitivity as you start observing tooth pain from cold or hot foods.
Grinding Teeth
Some people have the habit of teeth grinding. Some of them do so at night when asleep and some do so even when they are doing their normal daily activities. They grind their teeth when feeling anxiety or tension. This grinding is not going to help them to release stress but results in sensitive teeth as continuous grinding will remove the enamel layer.
The Symptoms
How can you realize you have teeth sensitivity? Simple by checking for the symptoms. The first symptom is when hot or cold water hurts teeth. The same thing can be observed in the case of foods or other drinks. Brushing your teeth may be painful when you have sensitivity. The condition becomes worse when your teeth start hurting from cold or hot air, sweet foods, beverages, and several other triggers.
Diagnosis
In case you observe any of the above symptoms, you need to visit a dentist. Dentists diagnose the sensitivity after proper checking. X-rays of your teeth may be taken to ensure the sensitivity and check how much damage has been done to the enamel.
How to Get Rid of Teeth Sensitivity?
The following tips and treatments can help you get rid of it.
Changing Your Toothpaste
The first thing you must do is change your toothpaste. Ordinary toothpaste may include some cooling and refreshing chemicals that are not good for sensitive teeth. Ask your dentist to suggest the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Check this suggested paste for at least one week and notice if it does any better or not. Usually, toothpaste with Fluoride and high content of Potassium Nitrate is good for sensitive teeth as these chemicals restore the enamel layer.
Using Soft Brush
You must use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth. Buy a toothbrush from a reputable brand. It must have ultra-soft bristles so it doesn’t do any further damage to your teeth. You can also ask your dentist to recommend a reputable brand that delivers the best toothbrushes for sensitive teeth.
Brush Your Teeth Gently
Along with a soft toothbrush, you must brush your teeth gently as well. Make slow movements when cleaning your teeth so no abrasion takes place and the enamel keeps on restoring. Brushing too hard will directly damage the sensitive gums making them bleed and swell.
Using Mouthwash
You must also use mouthwash to keep your teeth and mouth protected from bacteria. Never opt for a mouthwash with alcohol as it can increase the sensitivity of your teeth. Using mouthwash with desensitizing ingredients can do the trick of treating your sensitivity.
Home Remedies
- Using green tea twice a day can help you with sensitivity. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing sensitivity.
- The use of Hydrogen Peroxide is also very effective to get rid of sensitivity. However, dentists suggest using it when mixed in mouthwash. Never use it directly as it may be dangerous.
- Honey in warm water can do a miracle in treating teeth sensitivity. Honey has several properties and can stop sensitive teeth pain.
- Clove and coconut oil are also very effective to reduce sensitivity. These oils stop the damage to the enamel layer by killing bacteria. Apart from that, they also lubricate the teeth and reduce friction which will prevent the enamel layer from damaging.
- The use of vanilla extract is also very effective for sensitivity as it has pain-relieving characteristics that soothe your teeth and help in quicker recovery.
Bottom Line
No more discomfort and irritation for your teeth as we have told you the world’s most effective methods to get rid of tooth sensitivity. If you don’t observe any betterment after one week, make sure to contact your dentist.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Wednesday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am – 3:30pm