If you have sensitive teeth, you’re familiar with the sharp pain that can accompany a cold beverage, or the aching feeling that can happen when eating hot soup. Different people experience tooth sensitivity differently, but one thing that remains constant is that sensitive teeth are uncomfortable.
You don’t have to live with painful tooth sensitivity. Your dentist can not only help you discover the root cause of your sensitivity , but help you put steps in place to help reduce pain and discomfort. Here are five tips you can adopt now to help reduce tooth sensitivity!
1. Switch to a Softer Toothbrush
One of the simplest changes you can make to your oral care routine to improve tooth sensitivity is to switch your medium or stiff-bristled toothbrush out for a softer brush. Toothbrushes with harsh bristles can wear away tooth enamel over time and increase tooth sensitivity. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush can help protect both tooth enamel and tooth roots from painful sensitivity [1].
2. Ask Your Dentist About Recommended Toothpastes
Desensitizing toothpastes use a compound, usually potassium nitrate, that helps block temperatures from what you eat or drink from traveling through dental tubules, which are essentially tiny passageways in the teeth. Ask your dentist if they have a toothpaste they can recommend for sensitive teeth. Regardless of what toothpaste you’re using, be sure to use one with fluoride to protect your tooth enamel!
3. Avoid Very Hot or Very Cold Foods
You can still enjoy hot and cold foods even if you have sensitive teeth, but it’s a good idea to avoid foods that are extremely hot or extremely cold. These foods will not only make the discomfort from your tooth sensitivity worse, but they’re generally not healthy for you anyway. For example, people who consume piping hot beverages are at a higher risk for esophageal cancer [2].
4. Consider an In-Office Fluoride Treatment
If the cause of your tooth sensitivity is the result of damaged tooth enamel, your dentist may suggest an in-office fluoride treatment. This simple treatment is an application of fluoride to your tooth enamel, which can help strengthen your enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity [3]. Depending on your unique oral health, you may be able to receive fluoride treatments several times a year.
5. Think About Skipping Mouthwash
Although mouthwash can be beneficial for some individuals, it may be too harsh for people who have sensitive teeth [4]. Mouthwashes often contain alcohol, which can worsen tooth sensitivity. However, there are certain mouth rinses that actually contain beneficial ingredients for those with sensitive teeth, so ask your dentist about any recommendations during your next appointment.
Suffering From Sensitive Teeth?
If you have sensitive teeth, you don’t have to live with the pain. In addition to following up with your dentist, try the above five tips to potentially reduce your sensitivity and keep enjoying the foods and drinks you love!
Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sensitive-
teeth/faq-20057854
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32740163/
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/sensitive-teeth
4. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/10954-teeth-sensitivity
