Is it painful to eat hot soup or sip on ice water? We know how frustrating teeth sensitivity can be! Unfortunately, this dental pain can be linked to a number of oral health issues—from a receding gum line to tooth decay. Thankfully, you don’t have to suffer with teeth sensitivity forever. Try one of the following five remedies to kick this symptom for good!
1. Visit your dentist.
If you’re experiencing dental sensitivity, the first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with your dentist. This is because tooth sensitivity can be a symptom of a larger oral heath issue, such as tooth decay, gum disease, a fractured tooth, or even a broken restoration (like a filling, crown, inlay, etc.). Therefore, the best thing you can do to remedy dental sensitivity is to have a dental professional address the source of the issue.
2. Use desensitizing toothpaste.
Next time you take a trip to the store, look for desensitizing toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance on the label. These brands of toothpaste actually help to block the transmission of stimuli from the dental enamel to the nerve of your tooth. It may take several uses before your sensitivity is reduced, but ultimately these products have been proven effective for many patients.
3. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Did you know that brushing your teeth too vigorously could actually wear away your dental enamel and cause your gum line to recede? These two oral health issues can ultimately expose the nerve of your teeth to outside stimuli, causing sensitivity. Therefore, if you have a hard-bristled toothbrush and suffer from teeth sensitivity, it is important that you replace it right away with a soft-bristled option. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when you buy to ensure your toothbrush is effective and uses safe materials.
4. Get a nighttime mouth guard.
Did you know that dental sensitivity can be caused by nighttime bruxism (also known as teeth grinding)? Nighttime bruxism can occur as a result of sleep apnea or even stress, and it can cause serious damage to your dental enamel. In order to protect your teeth from nighttime grinding, ask your dentist about getting a mouth guard for when you sleep.
5. Reevaluate your dental hygiene routine.
Sometimes, helping alleviate dental sensitivity is simply a matter of reevaluating your dental hygiene routine. Have you been consistently using a highly acidic mouthwash for a while? This could potentially be the cause of your sensitivity, as it can wear away your dental enamel and expose the dentin layer. You should also make sure you’re brushing effectively at least twice per day and flossing regularly in order to prevent tooth decay and gingivitis, both of which can cause sensitivity.
If you’re dealing with hypersensitivity, we can help! Call Advanced Family Dental & Orthodontics today to schedule your appointment.