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A brewing cup of hot coffee. A big scoop of nutty and creamy chocolate ice cream. A steamy bowl of tangy tomato soup… As lip-smackingly delectable as these everyday foods and drinks might sound, for some of us, they stand as our worst nightmares. If biting into something hot, cold, or sour makes you experience sharp, piercing pain or sensation deep down your teeth, the chances are that you suffer from teeth and gum sensitivity.
Teeth sensitivity is caused by overtime wearing down of enamel or the protective layering of your teeth. Such a condition leaves the nerve endings of your teeth exposed to the effects of highly acidic foods and vulnerable to extremely hot or cold dishes. Living with sensitive teeth and gums is an extremely painful yet common experience. As recorded in the Journal of American Dental Association, one in eight adults suffer from sensitive teeth and gums. Another survey conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry shows that about 40 million people in the United States suffer from some form of teeth and gum sensitivity.
From bad oral hygiene to wrong dietary choices, you might be unaware of how your daily lifestyle choices might be leading to tooth sensitivity and gum diseases. Smile Select Dental is here to help you fight teeth sensitivity by identifying the root cause behind your sensitive teeth and gums. Here’s your ultimate guide to reducing teeth sensitivity and getting healthier and stronger teeth and gums!
Causes of Teeth and Gum Sensitivity
Wearing out of enamel or the protective layering of teeth leaves dentin, the substance that constitutes the inside of your teeth, exposed. An exposed dentin is the main reason why you might experience a sharp pain going right down to the nerve endings of your teeth every time you intake something extremely hot, cold, or sour. Such a condition is known as teeth or gum sensitivity. Some common factors that cause sensitivity in teeth and gums include:
- Tooth decay
- Receding gums or other gum diseases
- Broken tooth
- Grinding of teeth
- Teeth whitening treatments
- Worn out or leaky tooth fillings
- Dental procedures including fillings, crowns, etc.
- Tooth erosion caused by acidic food and beverages
- Worn tooth enamel caused by brushing aggressively or using a hard toothbrush
Ways to Reduce Teeth and Gum Sensitivity
Here are some easy and effective ways to fight teeth sensitivity and pain and ensure better oral hygiene and dental care:
- Replace your abrasive and stiff toothbrush with a soft-bristled one to maintain gum integrity and preserve tooth enamel.
- Use a toothpaste specially designed for sensitive teeth and gums for instant relief.
- Use a mouthguard to prevent teeth from grinding at night.
- Apply fluoride to the sensitive spots on the teeth to strengthen enamel and reduce sensitivity. You can also try other dental varnishes and coatings to minimize teeth sensitivity.
- To prevent teeth and gum sensitivity, eliminate or reduce acidic foods and beverages such as coffee, pickles, sodas, etc. Also, avoid consuming extremely hot or cold foods and liquids.
- Add garlic and clove to your diet to relieve pain and inflammation naturally. Such foods contain high anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making them great natural remedies for sensitive teeth.
- Use saltwater mouthwash to balance the pH level in your mouth and reduce bacterial growth.
- Traditional oral health techniques such as oil pulling can go a long way in removing germs and toxins from the tooth surface.
- If the pain persists, visit your dentist at the earliest to find the root cause behind your teeth and gum sensitivities.
Book an appointment with our qualified and highly experienced dentists at Smile Select Dental for affordable and effective gum disease and sensitive teeth treatment. We offer effective dental care solutions so that you don’t ever have to rethink before diving into your favorite ice cream again!
Schedule a consultation from the comfort of your home and say goodbye to sensitive teeth and gums forever
