Tooth sensitivity is no joke!
Worn enamel, receding gums, cavities, and decaying dental work are just some of the issues that can cause hypersensitivity to varying conditions, such as cold and heat.
According to Journal of the American Dental Association, one in eight adults suffer from sensitive teeth.
Sensitivity can range from slight discomfort to severe pain. If you’re looking for ways to soothe your sensitive teeth you’ve come to the right place!
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the dentin or roots of a tooth become exposed. This can occur for a number of reasons.
Common causes include:
- Worn Enamel
- Cavities
- Receding Gums
- Broken or Worn Dental Work
- New Dental Work
- Teeth Grinding or Chipped Teeth
- Swollen Gums
In these conditions, cold, hot, or spicy food can leave you cringing with discomfort.
Teeth whitening treatments, chemical-laden toothpaste, or alcohol-based mouthwash can make things even worse.
Short of banning yourself from your favorite foods and neglecting to clean you teeth at night, what can you do to soothe pain ridden pearly whites?
7 Methods to Relieve Tooth Pains
1. Strengthen Your Enamel
Don’t abandon your enamel. Afterall, it is your first defense against adverse conditions in the mouth.
You can help remineralize and strengthen the surface of your teeth by brushing daily with a fluoride enriched toothpaste.
The American Dental Association recommends that adults brush with fluoride twice a day.
2. Preventive Care, Preventive Care, Preventive Care
Sensitive teeth are a surefire sign that something is amiss in your mouth. If you don’t already have one, schedule an appointment with a dentist.
Routine x-rays can help identify decay early. Biyearly cleaning can remove stubborn plaque and keep your mouth in good working order.
Establish a routine and stick to it! Studies show that brushing and flossing daily can prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.
Be sure you are using a thick, soft bristle toothbrush. Hard, rough plastic can stimulate pain when it penetrates soft, exposed dentin.
Try running your toothbrush under hot water to soften up the bristles before brushing.
Protect your smile with these super-concentrated, low-abrasion toothpastes for lasting fresh breath and plaque control you can count on!
3. Guard Against Tooth Pain
If you suspect your tooth sensitivity may be linked to nighttime teeth grinding, talk with your dentist about wearing an overnight mouthguard.
Oftentimes, a dentist can create a custom-fitted mouthguard that can protect your teeth from premature wear.
Drugstores also stock a variety of over-the-counter guards designed to prevent nighttime teeth grinding.
4. Chew Gum
This suggestion may sound odd.
You may be thinking, how does giving your teeth more work help soothe them? However, chewing sugar-free gum produces saliva that helps to harden tooth enamel.
Be sure you’ve purchased a sugar-free option. Sugary gums leave behind a residue that can inevitably worsen the conditions causing your sensitivity!
5. Fluoride Rinse
Find a way to incorporate fluoride into your oral hygiene routine. This all-natural mineral compound can help strengthen your enamel.
Enamel, or the hard, outer layer of the tooth, provides a protective layer between the sensitive root and nerves and the harsh elements within the mouth.
Fluoride can help strengthen and even rebuild some lost enamel. Try this natural wonder in liquid form to quickly and efficiently coat your teeth.
Scientists agree that fluoride is effective and safe. In fact, many cities across the country have invested in adding fluoride to their public water sources because of the dramatic decrease in cavities that often come as a result.
Try Oxyfresh’s fluoride toothpaste that protects from erosion and decay!
6. Skip the Whitening Treatment
Sparkly, white teeth are impressive, but they often come at a cost. Whitening treatments often contain chemicals that can irritate your tooth nerves.
If you’re looking to give your teeth a break, steer clear of any over the counter whitening agents.
Clean your teeth often, especially after consuming sugary or acidic foods. Cleaning your teeth often will prevent stains.
According to the American Dental Association, factors such as age often result in thinning enamel. This reveals more dentin, which is a yellowish color.
While you cannot turn back the clock, you can avoid staining foods such as coffee, tea, and red wine.
7. Sensitive Toothpaste
Before you go blaming all your sensitivity issues on your teeth, consider changing some factors you can control.
Potassium nitrate is a common ingredient in desensitizing toothpaste. It is used to block pain signals.
There are also many products that contain all-natural ingredients that are less harsh than their synthetic counterparts. Look for these!
Toothpaste is typically formulated with abrasive ingredients that help to remove plaque from the surface of the tooth. However, many over-the-counter pastes do have the potential to damage your enamel or dentin.
Low abrasion toothpaste is defined by its RDA or Relative Dentin Abrasivity.
Oxyfresh offers a complete line of products that are made with ingredients that are gentle, safe, and extremely effective at fighting bad breath. Check out the amazing products today!
