Every day, we see patients seeking relief from oral pain and tooth sensitivity. They ask us if tooth sensitivity is caused by a more severe issue and what they can do to prevent further pain.

Are your teeth becoming too sensitive?

If you’re experiencing oral sensitivity, keep reading. This guide will cover everything you need to know to deal with tooth sensitivity and avoid further pain or complication.

Symptoms Of Sensitive Teeth

Although sensitivity is the primary symptom of sensitive teeth, you might experience several symptoms that impact your ability to eat, drink, and enjoy life as usual. Here are some of the things that might trigger pain and sensitivity in your teeth.

• Hot foods and beverages, like coffee, soup, and scorching meals.
• Cold foods and beverages like iced water, frozen snacks, and cold fruit.
• Breathing in cold air from your surroundings in the winter.
• Overly-sweet foods and beverages.
• Acidic foods and beverages.
• Brushing your teeth.
• Flossing your teeth.
• Mouthwash containing alcohol.

Sometimes, your teeth can be more susceptible and, at other times, you can resume your daily activities as usual. Oral sensitivity can come and go, becoming more intense on some days. However, you should still seek dental assistance with your local Maroubra dentist to get to the root cause of the sensitive teeth.

Why Does Tooth Sensitivity Happen?

Tooth sensitivity can happen for myriad reasons, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have poor oral hygiene. Below are some of the habits that can lead to tooth sensitivity:

• Overbrushing your teeth or brushing them too roughly.
• Opting for a toothbrush that is too hard.
• Tooth grinding during your sleep.
• Eating overly acidic foods and beverages too regularly.
• Acid reflux and stomach acid in the mouth.
• Tooth bleaching.
• Tooth decay, chipping, and cracking.
• Bulimia.
• Sensitivity after a dental procedure.

If you do any of the above things, you are more likely to develop sensitivity in your mouth. Minimising these habits can reduce your risk of damage, and you will enjoy less sensitivity when eating and drinking.

How Can You Treat Tooth Sensitivity?

If your teeth are sensitive, you don’t need to live in pain. There are many things you can do to reduce sensitivity, and reaching out to your local Maroubra dental clinic will help you to understand the products and treatments you need.

Below are some examples of the treatments your dentist might recommend.

Sensitive Toothpaste

You can use sensitive toothpaste to refortify your teeth against sensitivity. The toothpaste does not contain any ingredients that could further irritate your teeth. And it provides balming ingredients to help block your oral nerves and provide a barrier.

Soft Toothbrushes

If you tend to brush hard, a hard toothbrush will cause more damage to the tooth. Switching to a softer bristle toothbrush ensures that your hard brushing doesn’t cause damage. If you have had a recent dental procedure, a soft toothbrush can help minimise sensitivity during your recovery.

Prescription Medications

When you visit your dental clinic Maroubra, they can give you a prescription for dental hypersensitivity treatment. They might provide you with a fluoride treatment, which they will rub onto your teeth to heal your enamel. They may also give you a prescription fluoride treatment to use at home.

Treating The Underlying Conditions

There can be underlying conditions causing tooth pain; sometimes, tooth sensitivity remedies aren’t enough to eliminate the issue. Below are some examples of treatments for causes of tooth pain:

• Acid reduction for bulimia and acid reflux – your dentist can give you acid reducers to make your stomach acid less damaging for your teeth.
• Reducing teeth grinding – your dentist can provide a mouthguard to prevent you from grinding your teeth while you sleep. They recommend that you look at your stress levels and reduce caffeine intake, which may contribute to your grinding.
• Fighting receding gums – if your gums are receding due to overbrushing, your dentist will provide you with a soft toothbrush to allow your gums to fall back into position.

With these treatments, you can resolve what’s causing your hyper-sensitivity and reduce the potential for your condition to worsen.

Preventing Tooth Pain and Sensitivity

There are some steps you can take proactively helping you to avoid developing tooth sensitivity in the future:

• Using fluoride – if you use fluoride daily, you can reduce damage to your enamel, healing the protective barrier on your teeth. This will reduce sensitivity and prevent it from occurring in the first place.
• Avoiding harsh toothpaste – abrasive toothpaste contributes to hypersensitivity and tooth pain, and avoiding it is best to protect your teeth. You should only use harsh and abrasive toothpaste when you have your teeth cleaned professionally, which you should do only twice a year to keep your teeth protected.
• Consuming vitamin A and vitamin D – vitamin deficiencies can weaken the enamel and lead to tooth pain. Ensuring you get enough nutrients and vitamins can prevent your teeth from becoming painful.
• Additional support for a plant-based diet – sometimes, the lack of vitamin B12 in a vegan diet (which is usually found in red meat) can cause sensitive teeth. If you’re eating a plant-based diet, you should ensure you’re supplementing vitamin B12.

By taking these steps, you can minimise your risk of developing tooth pain. Additionally, visiting your dentist for a regular checkup will help you to spot tooth decay and enamel erosion early to resolve it.

Summary

Tooth sensitivity can stop you from enjoying the things you love most – it can ruin your sweet tooth, you won’t be able to enjoy cold and hot treats, and you will suffer when breathing in cold air in the winter months. However, there are effective treatments to help you restore your oral health and prevent further damage. If you’re experiencing sensitivity in your teeth, reach out to our dental team here at Maroubra Dental Avenue.

Read Also:
How To Keep Your Teeth And Gums Healthy As You Get Older
Why Dentists Love Fluoride, And You Should Too