Sensitive teeth: How to help them.
As people everywhere know, sensitive teeth can make life extremely unpleasant. Sensitive teeth can cause pain and discomfort, making eating or drinking even your favorite foods a painful experience! If you are one of the many who suffer from sensitive teeth, please know that this is condition which can be treated.
Sensitivity can cause tooth pain after drinking cold liquids, eating either hot or cold foods, or even from drawing in cold air. If the pain becomes more than you can comfortably live with, you should immediately schedule a visit to Dr. Frankel, as the nerve of your tooth might be exposed. Sensitive teeth generally start when the gums begin to pull away from the teeth; the gums acting as a protective layer and cover and protect the roots. When the gums begin to recede and pull away, the roots lose this protection, and therefore you will feel greater sensitivity in those areas.
The roots contain small tubules that lead directly to the nerves of the teeth. Whenever pressure, heat, or cold elements travel down exposed tubules, the nerves will trigger a feeling of intense pain. Patients who never complain of sensitivity are the ones whose gums are still firmly in place, performing their intended function.
The best solution is to reduce tooth sensitivity by keeping gums healthy. One way is to reduce the pressure you use when brushing your teeth. When taught to brush their teeth, most people feel that the more force they use, the better. While this will certainly get teeth clean, it can also harm the gums, in turn leading to sensitive teeth. A very effective way of limiting the amount of force applied while brushing is through the use of an electric toothbrush such as the Sonicare Advanced.
So you have sensitive teeth today, there are still ways you can help improve the health of your gums and teeth. Several toothpastes available contain potassium nitrate, a chemical which helps reduce the pain and discomfort associated with sensitivity. There are several toothpastes to choose from, Sensodyne being one brand highly recommended by dentists. Mouthwash containing fluoride can also help tooth sensitivity.
If you start using toothpaste such as Sensodyne and fluoride mouthwash, you’ll notice a big improvement in your teeth and gums. The sensitivity will begin to go away, giving you almost immediate relief. And again, whenever you brush, make sure you brush gently as excessive force will always cause your gums to recede again.
Of course, if you find that using Sensodyne and fluoride mouthwash still doesn’t help, you should check with Dr. Frankel about other options available to you. Dental professionals know how to eliminate your sensitivity once and for all, and how to prevent it from coming back. Tooth sensitivity is something that many of us have to deal with – but now you know there are ways that you can fight back and prevent the pain and discomfort.
