The Best Solutions for Sensitive Teeth

It’s no fun when you bite into an ice cream and suffer the tell-tale pain of sensitive teeth. The pain may be temporary but it’s still a big problem. The good news is that there are solutions for sensitive teeth. Sensitivity does not go away altogether, but it can be relieved.

Looking after your teeth, and eating the right foods can help. You can understand this better if you know how tooth sensitivity happens in the first place.

Why do you get sensitive teeth?

Once you have sensitive teeth, you know about it. You get a sudden severe pain, every time you eat certain foods. Similarly, your teeth may also hurt when you brush or floss. Look at a picture of a human tooth and you can see why this happens.

The enamel on the tooth protects the dentin underneath. If the enamel is damaged, or the gum has receded, the dentin is no longer protected. This mean the dentin is exposed to the foods you eat, and cold temperatures around you.  There are lots of tiny tubes inside the dentin which lead to the pulp of the tooth. They allow heat, cold and acidity to get to the nerve of the tooth. This is what causes the pain of sensitive teeth.

Causes of sensitive teeth

Anyone can get sensitive teeth. Many people first start to notice a problem between the ages of 30 and 40, but it can happen at any time. There are several potential causes of sensitive teeth including:

• Brushing your teeth too hard.
• Using a toothbrush that is too hard.
• Grinding of teeth.
• Receding gums.
• Gum disease.
• Damaged teeth.
• Plaque
• Eating acidic foods.

You may also experience some sensitivity after a dental procedure. Your dentist will answer any questions about this.

Dealing with sensitive teeth

There are some effective solutions for sensitive teeth that you can try. You need to keep going with solutions that you use. Tooth sensitivity is always there, once you have it. You need to be vigilant to keep the symptoms at bay and prevent more damage to your tooth enamel and gums.

• Use a specially formulated toothpaste. Research the different toothpaste available, and ask your dentist for their opinion.
• Use a brush with softer bristles.
• Avoid foods that are high in acidity and sugar as they attack enamel. Foods you should avoid include sweets, high sugar carbohydrates, citrus fruits and carbonated drinks.
• Be careful when you brush. Many people brush side to side along the gum line. This can cause damage to enamel. Use a 45 degree angle when you brush and do not use an aggressive brushing technique.
• Stop grinding your teeth. Teeth grinding, known as bruxism, is common. Some teeth grinding is caused by stress, but most happens while you sleep. Causes include missing teeth and an unusual bite. Your dentist can help if you have a problem with grinding your teeth.
• Consider taking a break if you bleach your teeth.

Trying one or more of these solutions can help reduce problems caused by sensitive teeth. However, it’s also a good idea to speak to your dentist. Sometimes, pain from sensitive teeth can be a sign of something more serious. You need to make sure that these issues are dealt with, as soon as possible.

Getting help with sensitive teeth

Once you reach the age of 40, your gums can start to recede. As this happens they pull away from your teeth, exposing the roots. This produces pain as your teeth become sensitive. If you think this is happening to you, speak to your dentist. They can check for signs of gum disease, and take action if necessary.

You may need a gum graft to help with the problem. Tissue is moved from one part of your mouth to other parts where the gum is receding and damage is present.

If you have gum disease, your dentist will take action to reduce the amount of damage caused. This may include:

• Thoroughly cleaning and scaling your teeth.
• Carrying out surgery.
• Giving you medication to take.

If you do not get help dealing with gum disease, your gums will continue to pull back from your teeth. This will cause your teeth to be sensitive. You may also find that disease sets in, damaging the bone. Once this happens, your teeth are not supported as they should be.

Sensitive teeth – in summary

Sensitive teeth are common, especially as you get older and your gums begin to recede. Tooth sensitivity will always be there once you have it. This does not mean that you have to put up with the pain. It’s possible to relieve the symptoms, using the solutions mentioned in this article. It’s not sufficient to just try a solution for a while as the pain will return when you stop. Keep going with your efforts and your problems should decrease.

Brush your teeth gently and carefully with a soft bristled brush. Avoid food and drink which is high in sugar and acidity. Take action to stop grinding your teeth. You can do all of these things for yourself, at home.

It’s also a good idea to speak to a dentist if you are having problems with sensitive teeth. There could be serious issues which need to be dealt. It’s important to get advice from an expert as soon as possible. You can limit the amount of damage caused, and reduce the pain, if you do. At The Neem Tree we know that many people do not like the idea of visiting the dentist. This means that they put off getting advice about sensitive teeth and their causes. We make sure that everyone is welcomed into a friendly environment. We help people to relax, so that we can deal with sensitive teeth problems and improve the situation.

Solutions for Sensitive Teeth at The Neem Tree

Contact the team at The Neem Tree if you need help with sensitive teeth. We are happy to answer your questions and provide the effective treatment you need.