Sensitive teeth cause sharp pain while drinking, eating, flossing and brushing. They are caused by exposed tooth roots or worn out tooth enamel. Sometimes, a chipped or cracked tooth or a cavity can also cause tooth discomfort. In this article, we reveal effective treatments for sensitive teeth.
Sensitive Teeth Treatments
First, consult your dentist who can pinpoint the exact cause for the tooth pain. Normally, the following sensitive teeth treatments are used:
- Desensitizing toothpaste: Toothpastes like Sensodyne are recommended to treat sensitive teeth. These toothpastes can help to block pain caused by sensitive teeth.
- Fluoride: The dentist may apply fluoride on the painful teeth areas to reduce pain and strengthen the tooth enamel.
- Treating Receding Gums: Receding gums can expose root surfaces and cause sensitive teeth. Your dentist may use a sealant to seal the tooth roots that have become exposed.
- Root canal: If there is severe pain and all other treatments prove ineffective, a root canal procedure may be required to cure problems in the dental pulp of the tooth.
How to Prevent Occurrence of Sensitive Teeth
- Maintain good oral health by brushing twice every day with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste containing fluoride. Don’t forget to floss regularly.
- Do not brush or floss your teeth harshly. Do not use an abrasive toothpaste.
- If you suffer from bruxism (tooth grinding), use a mouth guard to protect against tooth fracture.
- Limit intake of acidic drinks and foods like yogurt, wine, citrus fruits and carbonated drinks. After drinking or eating such foods, gargle your teeth to remove acidic traces from the mouth.
Causes of Sensitive Teeth
Learn about the various common causes of sensitive teeth, so that you can guard against them:
- One common reason is brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with hard bristles which can damage the enamel and expose the dentin. This factor can also cause gums to recede.
- If tooth decay occurs near the gum line.
- Periodontal disease can cause gums to recede and expose the root surface.
- Gum diseases like gingivitis can inflame gum tissue and cause sensitivity.
- Broken or chipped teeth may fill up with bacteria and cause inflammation.
- Teeth whitening products are another major cause of sensitive teeth.
- People aged between 25 to 30 are most vulnerable to tooth sensitivity.
- Plaque build-up in the teeth can also lead to sensitivity.
- Some mouthwashes may be acidic and expose the dentin below the enamel. Consult your dentist about using a fluoride mouthwash.
- Dental procedures like tooth restoration, crown placement, root planning and teeth cleaning can also cause sensitive teeth.
Summary
We hope this article has enlightened you on how to treat sensitive teeth. Keep your guard up against the various causes of this condition and maintain good oral health to prevent sensitive teeth. Here’s to happy brushing and flossing every day.
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