Losing Touch: How to Better Protect Sensitive Teeth

 

Sensitive teeth are caused by a number of different things. No matter which one it is, the sensitivity is merely a result of the dentin in your teeth being exposed. This middle layer of the tooth contains many little tubules that all lead to different nerves, resulting in pain when you eat or drink something your teeth don’t agree with. Try these practices to help make your sensitive teeth stronger.

 

Brush and Floss Daily

Experts say you should brush at least twice per day, and floss at least once. With brushing, make sure your toothbrush is soft and you brush no harder than you would the skin of a tomato. Brushing too hard can further damage your teeth. With flossing, make sure to get each side of every tooth and change the strip of floss for each one, otherwise the bacteria spreads from tooth to tooth.

 

Limit Foods and Drinks

Acidic foods like those in the citrus family, and acidic drinks like tea and coffee are not dangerous when ingested in limited quantities. This drastically changes when you drink coffee four times per day, or eat five oranges. By limiting the acid that wears down the enamel on your teeth, you give them time to heal.

 

Use Fluoride

Fluoride has been long known to strengthen enamel. From toothpastes to mouthwashes, always choose brands with added fluoride. The reason it is so effective, is that it makes your teeth much more resistant to something known as demineralization. This process happens when the bacteria in plaque begin to leech the minerals from the enamel, resulting in tooth sensitivity and even cavities.

 

Teeth Grinding

If you grind your teeth out of habit or when you sleep, you need to stop. The continual action wears the teeth down very quickly. For night grinders, invest in a mouth guard. While it may feel a little weird at first, it will protect your teeth from themselves. Day grinders should be more aware of when they do it, and must do what they can to stop themselves as soon as it starts.

 

Regular Teeth Cleaning

Head down to your local Eastgate Dental Centre about once every six months. Dentists in Grimsby will give your teeth a proper clean, making sure to hit the spots you miss. This ensures that even if you don’t catch everything, you have someone who will.

 

Tooth sensitivity is not something you simply have to accept and live with. By starting a proper tooth cleaning regime, you can restore their natural defenses, and make your life more comfortable.

 

Categories: brush, Protect, sensitive teeth

Feeling the Heat? 5 Home Remedies for Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive teeth are a common problem for many individuals, often caused by exposed dentin on teeth, as well as receding gums and tooth decay. By taking a few extra steps to prevent the sensitivity and reverse the effects, teeth can be restored and protected against high or low temperatures.

 

1. Take a Break From Mouthwash

Although mouthwash works to free teeth of stuck particles, keep the breath fresh, and kill germs, overuse of the product can cause teeth to become sensitive due to the acid that it contains. Use mouthwash only once or twice a week, or indefinitely, until the teeth become stronger.

 

2. Choose a Softer Toothbrush

One of the contributing causes of sensitive teeth is brushing too hard. It may seem logical that the harder teeth are brushed, the more clean they become, but this is not the case. Enamel often wears off quickly when the teeth are brushed too hard, causing their natural protective coding to become too thin and for teeth to become sensitive. Opt for an electric toothbrush and only hold the toothbrush by your fingertips to ensure excessive force is not used.

 

3. Use a Desensitizing Toothpaste

Desensitizing toothpaste is recommended by most dentists for those suffering from tooth sensitivity, as it works to block pain and strengthen teeth again. It will work just as well as any normal toothpaste for cleaning teeth, but with extra benefits that will make it easier to go back to eating foods at warm or cold temperatures.

 

4. Treat Exposed Roots

Visit a dentist to discuss having your exposed roots covered with a protective sealant that will protect the teeth and prevent sensitivity. “A professional will be able to evaluate the teeth’s condition and provide extra treatment that will ensure proper protection and prevention of roots becoming further exposed.” says salinas dentist experts.

 

5. Use Natural Remedies

Several household products and vitamins can work to reduce sensitivity. Calcium hydroxyapatite will naturally restore the teeth’s enamel, while clove powder can reduce pain that’s experienced with hot or cold temperatures. Mix three drops of water with 1/4 teaspoon of clove powder and apply to sensitive teeth after eating to prevent pain from occurring. Vitamin B1 supplements also prevent sensitivity with a dosage of 100 mg each day.

 

By talking to a professional and taking precautionary measures for tooth sensitivity, the effects can be reversed overtime and teeth can be restored to withstand various temperatures comfortably.

Categories: Dentist, sensitive teeth, teeth