Avoiding tooth sensitivity

Sensitive teeth can make you feel a little anxious when you think of the pain that comes with having certain foods or beverages. Even just the act of eating can cause enough discomfort to make you lose your appetite. Try these tips to help overcome your tooth sensitivity:

Visit your dentist. Determining the cause of your sensitivity will help you deal with it. Your dentist can help identify or rule out problems that cause sensitivity pain such as cavities, filling problems, root canals, and grinding habits.

Use a desensitizing toothpaste. Using a desensitizing toothpaste can help relieve pain associated with tooth sensitivity. Specific ingredients reduce sensitivity by blocking the sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. Using it twice a day for at least 4 weeks will help provide relief. Continue to use it for ongoing protection, as well as for other problems you may have such as gingivitis, enamel erosion, and cavities.

Use soft-bristled toothbrushes. Tooth sensitivity can be caused by gum recession and enamel abrasion from using hard-bristled toothbrushes, which leave the dentin (a layer of tissue that protects the tooth root) exposed. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush will help you maintain good oral health. You can even use an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor to help safely guide your brushing habits.

Use a daily mouth rinse with fluoride. Daily fluoride rinses are available without a prescription and can help decrease sensitivity and prevent cavities at the same time. Use a fluoride rinse once a day, swishing it around your mouth, then spit it out.

Change your diet. Acidic, sweet, and sour foods are associated with tooth sensitivity. Try to avoid or reduce them in your diet as much as possible. Rinse your mouth with water or chew sugarless gum after you eat to reduce the effects of the acid.

Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes and floss at least once daily to reduce plaque build-up in your mouth. This will help improve your oral health, reduce the effects of acid attacks from plaque and food, and help prevent gingivitis and cavities.

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