Dealing With Sensitive Teeth
Ice cream doesn’t sound appealing when sensitive teeth keep getting in the way. From brushing technique to food and drink, there are several factors that contribute to sensitive teeth. With a couple of changes to your daily routine, FRESHDental can help you deal with tooth sensitivity so you can get back to your normal self.
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the dentin or roots of a tooth become exposed. This can occur for a number of reasons:
• Worn Enamel
• Cavities
• Receding Gums
• Broken or Worn Dental Work
• New Dental Work
• Teeth Grinding or Chipped Teeth
Knowing how to relieve sensitive teeth can include remedies that may even be in your own home. Specifically changing some of your usual habits could make a difference in how your teeth feel on a daily basis. Try these three tips for healthier, pain-free teeth:
1. Time For a New Toothbrush
Brushing can help keep your teeth healthy, but using a hard-bristled toothbrush or a highly abrasive toothpaste can disturb sensitive teeth. Instead, swap your usual toothbrush out for a one that is more gentle on your teeth and gums, and brush your teeth gently in a back and forth motion and across the biting surfaces of the teeth. A little care can go a long way to dealing with tooth sensitivity.
2. Avoid The Acidic Stuff
Certain foods, like carbonated drinks, coffee, and citrus fruits can cause tooth sensitivity. Acidic products can actually be a stimulant to wearing out the tooth enamel. Consider avoiding them altogether. If you must have your daily soda, opt for drinking through a straw to limit the contact the liquid has with your teeth. Moreover, avoid brushing your teeth immediately after eating or drinking acidic foods, since acid softens your enamel and makes your teeth even more prone to sensitivity if you brush your teeth too quickly. Instead, have a glass of milk to help balance out the acid.
3. Guard Against The Pain
If you have a history of sensitive teeth, you may be more susceptible to tooth decay, and regular fluoride treatments can play an essential role in maintaining a healthy, white smile. It aids in the prevention of tooth decay and cavities by making teeth resistant to the acids created by plaque and sugars. Fluoride is deposited on tooth enamel when you eat foods and beverages that contain it; it is lost when the acids produced by plaque and sugars eat away at the enamel of a tooth. Tooth decay occurs when the amount of fluoride lost outweighs what is being deposited.
If you suffer from sensitive teeth, toothpaste isn’t your only option to enjoy your favorite foods again. Start today to take steps toward a healthier smile. By taking care of your pearly whites gently and regularly, you’ll focus on treating the cause of sensitive teeth. At Fresh Dental, our staff and dentists are committed to preserving your smile.