How to Prevent and Treat Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is no fun—it can be uncomfortable, especially with cold and hot drinks, or sweet and sour foods.

It’s also possible to experience tooth sensitivity when breathing in cold air. Pain is typically described as sudden and sharp. This guide will provide you with various ways to prevent tooth sensitivity and the variety of treatments available.

Leading Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

There are many things that can cause tooth sensitivity, such as:

• Brushing too hard: If you’re too harsh when brushing your teeth, sooner than later, it can cause the enamel of your teeth to wear down. Additionally, you should avoid toothbrushes that contain hard bristles, as they can leave the dentin in your teeth unprotected. A proper brushing technique can also help prevent unwanted agitation.
• Teeth grinding: Clenching or grinding your teeth may put strain on the enamel and cause the dentin to become revealed.
• Cracked teeth: If your teeth are broken or chipped, bacteria may enter your teeth and cause inflammation.
• Gum recession: Depending on genetics, you may be at a high risk of developing receding gums. Most people who do develop gum recession do so following periodontal disease. Gum recession causes the gum tissue to move away from your teeth, thus revealing the roots.
• Gum disease: Gum disease can be described as tissue that is sore and inflamed. This usually occurs due to the absence of ligaments that support the tooth. As a result, this causes the root surface of the tooth to become exposed.

Preventing Tooth Sensitivity

Here are some things you can do to prevent tooth sensitivity:

• Only use soft-bristled toothbrushes to help prevent gum recession.
• Use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. These types of toothpaste help to eliminate plaque on your teeth, all while giving you rapid sensitivity relief.
• Always brush and floss twice a day. Doing so will prevent your gums from receding.
• Don’t forget to clean your entire mouth. This includes the spaces between your teeth and besides the gum line.
• Limit your intake of acidic drinks and foods.

Treating Tooth Sensitivity

The best way to treat sensitive teeth is to first get to the root cause.

Fortunately, you can self-treat your tooth sensitivity at home if it is caused by typical wear and tear.

Here are some home remedies you can try:

Purchase Desensitizing Toothpaste

There are plenty of brands of toothpaste available over the counter for sensitive teeth. With consistent use, you should begin to notice a reduction in sensitivity.

It’s also possible that you may need to try out a few different brands of toothpaste before finding the best match for you.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for preventing and treating tooth sensitivity. Flossing and brushing should be included in your daily regimen.

When to See A Dentist

If you have prolonged sensitivity, lasting several days or over a week, you may want to visit a dental professional right away.

At Anderson Family Dental Care, these routine checks may be simple fixes and lifestyle change recommendations, or we may need to look at performing more extensive x-rays or dental cleanings.

If you have tooth sensitivity you can’t keep under control on your own, reach to us and we’ll see how we can help you.