What To Do If  You Have Sensitive Teeth

Many people suffer with teeth sensitivity but have no idea how to deal with the problem.  They get used to the fact that if they eat something cold like ice-cream or very hot food, their teeth are going to react painfully.  Even trying to keep their sensitive teeth clean is problematic as the slightest pressure upon the teeth results in pain.

They end up adapting their lifestyle to fit with their teeth sensitivity which is limiting and not a good place to be.  There is also the risk that the cause of the tooth sensitivity is due to damaged or infected teeth that have not been detected. If left alone, the problem will only get worse.

But if you have sensitive teeth, what should you do?  First of all, it is always recommended that you visit a dentist.  Only when you know what is causing the sensitivity can you deal with it in the right way.

Your dentist will carry out a full examination of your teeth, ask a few pertinent questions about how you look after them, what type of diet you have and how the pain occurs.

What causes teeth sensitivity?

There are many reasons for people having sensitive teeth.  Here are just a few of them:

• Brushing too hard – you might think that scrubbing away is good for your teeth but in fact, this can cause the enamel to erode.  Not a good thing.
• Type of diet – if you consume a lot of acidic food or drink such as wine or fruit juices, this can have a negative effect too.
• Receding gums – not only can this look less than attractive but exposed roots can lead to sensitivity.
• Build-up of plaque – this can cause not only gum disease but tooth decay too.
• Erosion of enamel – once the enamel is eroded, the inner part of the tooth is exposed creating sensitivity.
• Grinding of teeth – as teeth grind together, enamel wears down, causing gums to recede.
• Damaged teeth – if teeth are decayed or cracked, any pressure or temperature change will cause pain.

So as you can see, there are so many things that can cause teeth sensitivity.  If you fall into one of these categories and have been suffering in silence, there is no need to.  After your consultation, your dentist will decide which treatment will work best for you, helping to reduce and eradicate the pain of teeth sensitivity.  

How to reduce teeth sensitivity

There are also things that you can do yourself to help reduce the pain from teeth sensitivity:

Ensure that your oral hygiene is of a high standard – brush and floss your teeth correctly, cleaning all areas of the teeth and mouth on a regular basis.

Use a soft toothbrush – hard is not better.  Using a brush with a softer bristle will not cause as much tooth abrasion, nor irritate the gums so much. Always brush the gums gently so as not to remove the delicate gum tissue.

Use a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth – this will help to reduce the teeth sensitivity.  If one brand does not work well, try a few until you find the one that works best for you.  

Watch your diet – eating a lot of acidic foods all of the time will dissolve the enamel on your teeth causing the sensitivity to be worse.  Once the enamel has gone, it cannot be replaced.

Don’t grind your teeth together – if you are a tooth grinder, your dentist may provide you with a mouth guard to wear at night.

Always see your dentist regularly and don’t leave too long between appointments.  If your teeth are developing a problem that is causing teeth sensitivity, it will be detected early on and treated. 

If your tooth sensitivity is causing you major problems, your dentist may recommend one of the following treatments the to cover exposed roots:  White fillings, fluoride varnish or a dentin seal. They will provide an additional covering to the teeth thus reducing and minimising the teeth sensitivity.  Going forward you should find that your teeth feel so much better and that the constant pain is relieved. 

Want to know more?

Would you like to discuss teeth sensitivity in Ely with one of our dentists?  If so, get in touch with one of our experts today.  Alternatively, complete the form below to sign up for a consultation with one of our dental experts.