7 Important Rules for Overcoming Annoying Sensitive Teeth
Have you ever felt toothache when you eat sweet foods and drink cold drinks? If so, you most likely have sensitive teeth. This condition will certainly make it difficult for you to eat, and even make your appetite decrease. Then, is there a way to deal with sensitive teeth right?
Follow this special set of rules for dealing with sensitive teeth
Sensitive teeth should not be left alone, especially thinking that this condition can heal on its own. You must take special care so that the pain can recover quickly and do not recur easily.
Don’t just feel like aching in your teeth that is difficult to compromise, so you don’t enjoy important moments with your closest relatives. Well, from now on try to obey all the series to deal with your sensitive teeth, yes!
1. Understand the main causes of sensitive teeth
It is important to understand the origin of sensitive teeth for those of you who experience them, as said by Kim Harms, DDS, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. There are a variety of different factors that can trigger a toothache – such as eating foods that are too cold, drinking acidic drinks, or simply getting cold.
The pain is usually caused by tooth nerve endings that are no longer functioning normally, perhaps due to damage to the enamel, bone, or gum tissue under the tooth.
These nerve endings are directly connected to the pulp, which is the site of the main nerve of the tooth. So, when the tooth is exposed to one or more of the factors that cause the pain, the nerve endings will experience irritation which then affects the pulp.
Understanding this process more deeply can help you to find out which techniques and products are most suitable for treating sensitive teeth. Over time, the discomfort will disappear.
2. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles
Did you know that brushing techniques can affect the severity of your sensitive teeth? Yes, brushing your teeth too hard or putting too much pressure on your teeth can hurt your gums. Especially if you use a coarse toothbrush bristle.
The reason is, all of these things will cause the gums and tooth enamel to not function optimally. As a result, the nerves of the teeth are disrupted which makes the teeth more susceptible to pain.
Therefore, Ferraz-Dougherty, a dentist at Rolling Oaks Dental United States, recommends that you choose a toothbrush with soft bristles that can better protect your sensitive teeth.
Don’t forget to regularly brush your teeth twice a day slowly, for at least two minutes with a top-down motion. Also make sure you are brushing your teeth properly. To know the right way, you can find out in this article The Right Steps to Brushing Teeth.
3. Use a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Apart from using a soft-bristled toothbrush, another rule for dealing with sensitive teeth that must be obeyed is to use a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Why? This is because this toothpaste has special ingredients, such as fluoride, potassium nitrate, or strontium chloride, which will fill the nerve endings of the teeth and prevent aches from appearing.
In addition, this particular toothpaste also does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which is the building block for most toothpastes. This content turns out to be at risk of causing irritation to sensitive teeth and gums.
4. Avoid grinding your teeth while sleeping
Actually, not only while sleeping, but whenever you are conscious or not. The habit of grinding your teeth while you sleep, or bruxism, can put a lot of pressure on your teeth, which slowly erodes tooth enamel, worsening tooth sensitivity.
If you find that you have this habit, try to consult your doctor about using a mouth guard that is worn during sleep.
5. Avoid teeth whitening procedures
If you have sensitive teeth, you shouldn’t try to do a teeth whitening procedure. Dentists usually do not recommend using teeth whitening products or teeth whitening processes for those of you who have sensitive teeth.
Not without reason, because teeth whitening products contain many chemicals – for example, carbamide peroxide. These chemicals can erode tooth enamel, which later damages the nerve endings of your teeth, making them more prone to ache.
6. Avoid foods and drinks that cause sensitive teeth
As explained earlier, various types of food and drinks that are too cold, hot, sour, and sweet, can cause sensitive teeth. This is because these foods and drinks will erode the enamel and attack the tooth nerves that cause sensitive teeth.
Do not forget, make sure you give a break of about 30 minutes if you want to brush your teeth after eating, especially acidic foods. Because acidic foods can weaken tooth enamel, and brushing your teeth too quickly will actually worsen the condition of your sensitive teeth.
7. Routinely check with the dentist
Whatever complaints you experience about your teeth and mouth, you should always regularly check with your dentist at least every six months. Depending on your dental problem, a doctor’s appointment may be faster.
Especially for sensitive tooth owners who have tried various tricks to overcome their complaints, but there has been no improvement. Your dentist can look for the root cause of your sensitive teeth and recommend the best treatment to treat them.
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