Managing Sensitive Teeth: Tips and Tricks

 

Most of the time, we don’t pay much attention to our teeth outside of brushing and flossing — and making sure there’s nothing stuck there when we smile. But for people with sensitive teeth, everything is a potential pain trigger. Managing the problem before the pain starts becomes an all-day priority.

Luckily, this goal doesn’t need to distract you from your priorities. Follow these simple tips and tricks, and managing your sensitive teeth will become a habit that helps you enjoy life (and your meals) again.

 

Brush Wisely

How you brush your teeth when they’re sensitive is of penultimate importance. From the toothbrush you use to the way you scrub, it all impacts your day.

Start by making sure your toothbrush has soft bristles. These scrubbing wires aren’t as abrasive as the medium and hard options, so when you brush, your tooth enamel is safe. Since sensitive teeth often come from thinning enamel, this step is crucial. Enamel is built in layers that protect the sensitive inner parts of the teeth, and once those thicker outer layers are lost, they can’t be regenerated.

Soft bristles are also easier on the gums, another source of stress that can lead to sensitive teeth. Hard bristles and aggressive brushing damage the soft tissue, causing gum recession that exposes the tooth root. Exposed tooth roots allow hot and cold temperatures to reach the pulp, where the nerves are located, resulting in sharp or throbbing pain.

A simple switch to softer bristles and a gentle brushing routine could be the solution to your sensitive-teeth woes.

 

Use Desensitizing Products

There’s a reason for the sensitivity in your teeth, and you definitely want to figure out the root cause and fix it. In the meantime, though, desensitizing teeth-cleaning products, like toothpaste and mouthwash, can be a day-changer.

 

Look for products that have pain-blocking and strengthening ingredients, such as:

• Fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel


• Potassium nitrate to block pain signals from the nerves to your brain


• Strontium chloride to seal tooth holes


• Arginine and calcium carbonate, which, working together, can seal holes in the tooth

Check with your dentist and the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you’re using the product correctly for your oral health needs.

 

Fix the Lifestyle Habits

Are your lifestyle habits contributing to your teeth sensitivity? Until you fix those behaviors, you’ll likely keep having the same painful results, no matter what products you use.

 

Let’s look at some of the most common “bad” habits that lead to sensitive teeth:

 

• Eating/drinking acidic and sweet items. Acids and sugars erode tooth enamel and expose the underlying layer of dentin, letting in cold, heat, and bacteria to the delicate nerves. Too much of this type of food can also lead to canker sores. (For more information on how canker sores impact your oral health, read this article by JS Dental Lab.)


• Using tobacco products. Tobacco causes gum recession, exposing the tooth roots. It also reduces saliva flow, leading to dry mouth, which allows bacteria to thrive and damage tooth enamel. 

• Biting hard and sticky objects. That pen cap chewing habit you just can’t break? The fingernails you tend to bite when you’re nervous? Or maybe the addictive gum chewing that has a mind of its own? These habits are tiny but mighty…damaging to your teeth, that is. Hands down, biting hard and sticky objects could be the main reason for the pain you feel in your teeth.

 

Another “lifestyle habit” that might be causing your sensitive teeth without your knowledge is grinding. It doesn’t sound like a horrible problem, but untreated grinding (sleep bruxism) can seriously damage your teeth. Since you’re asleep when the behavior happens, you might not even realize it’s an issue until your dentist points out the effects.

Grinding and jaw clenching put significant stress on the teeth and gums, leading to cracked and chipped teeth, worn enamel, and gum recession. If you have bruxism, wear a custom-made night guard to minimize damage while you work on addressing the cause of your grinding.

 

Let the Dental Professionals Do the Heavy Lifting

Regular cleanings and exams are vital for those with sensitive teeth. Your dentist can monitor your oral health for signs of developing issues, such as cavities and gum disease, which often cause sensitivity. 

Dentistry visits also open you up to more long-term options, including fluoride treatments, crowns to cover exposed dentin, and bonding to protect thinning or cracked enamel.

 

Conclusion

Switching to gentler toothcare routines, avoiding unhealthy lifestyle habits, and using desensitizing products should be enough to reduce discomfort in your teeth. If all of those steps have failed and your pain persists, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist to find out what is truly going on under the “tooth” surface of your oral health.