HOW TO HANDLE TEETH SENSITIVITY

Sudden pain in the tooth while eating hot/cold foods or hard foods is due to the teeth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is one of the common dental issues experienced by people of all ages, especially elderly people, as ageing pulls away the gums and exposes the teeth roots that cause teeth sensitivity. Plaque, cavities, ageing are a few causes for the sensitivity of teeth, however, if you follow the best dental practices, the dental issues can get prevented. Teeth sensitivity can be treated and prevented by following a few steps as mentioned below.

WHAT CAUSES TEETH SENSITIVITY?

Before finding out the treatment procedures for sensitivity, let’s look at the causes for sensitivity so that better care get nurtured, and dental sensitivity can get prevented.

1.DENTAL PLAQUE & CAVITIES

When you consume sugary and sticky foods, these foods stick in between your teeth. Lack of proper oral care makes harmful bacteria in the mouth feed on these sugars and form plaque. Plaque forms overnight on the teeth and the gumline. Failure to remove plaque causes the bacteria to release acids that attack the teeth enamel and erode it, forming cavities. Enamel is the tough, outermost protective layer of the teeth that protects the inner soft tissues from bacteria and acids. When the enamel gets eroded, the inner tissues get exposed, and the food that you eat and the acids reach the roots of the teeth, causing sensitivity. 

2.CHIPPED TOOTH

Not only the plaque and cavities, but chipped teeth also cause teeth sensitivity. The chipping of teeth could be a consequence of an accident or Bruxism where a person grinds his/her teeth while asleep. Cracking of teeth weakens and distorts the enamel, helping bacteria, acids and food to travel the inner root of the teeth, causing sensitivity of teeth. 

3.AGEING

As you turn older, the gums weaken and start pulling away from the teeth. The teeth start loosening, and the roots of the teeth get exposed because of the receded gums. The acids released by bacteria and the food that you eat reach the teeth roots and cause sensitivity. 

HOW TO TREAT TEETH SENSITIVITY

1.Use Desensitizing Toothpaste

There are various types of toothpaste available in the market. Choose the right toothpaste that matches your dental condition. If you are suffering from teeth sensitivity issues, opt for desensitizing toothpaste. The desensitizing toothpaste, as the name suggests, treats your teeth sensitivity. This toothpaste contains compounds like potassium nitrate and sodium chloride that block the tubules, preventing the acids, food and bacteria to reach the inner tissues and roots of the teeth. Thus it seals your tooth root and gives you relief from sensitivity.

2.Use a Soft Bristled Toothbrush

Similar to choosing toothpaste, you also have to be careful about choosing the right toothbrush. Your gums are already weakened, and the roots of the teeth get exposed, hence it is necessary that you gently brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

3.Rinse Your Mouth with Warm Salt Water

Salt is a natural antiseptic that prevents pain and inflammation. Hence rinse your mouth with saltwater that gives you instant relief from sensitivity. Opt for lukewarm water as it gives better results. You can also try other home remedies for teeth sensitivity like rinsing the mouth with honey water or oil pulling, applying turmeric paste etc.

4.Chew Garlic

As already stated above, harmful bacteria in the mouth are responsible for producing acids that damage the teeth enamel and cause sensitivity. Chewing on garlic releases a compound named allicin that has antibacterial properties and provides relief from bad bacteria in the mouth. It indeed provides relief from teeth sensitivity.  

5.Use Clove

Clove is a gem among the spices that are good for teeth. Clove has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, hence swishing an extract of clove or clove oil numbs the pain caused by sensitivity and gives you relief. Clove is known to be a cure for most of the reasons for a toothache. 

6.Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

Consumption of sugary foods and drinks must be limited as bacteria feed on them and form plaque that releases harmful acids. Also, prevent acidic foods and beverages, including wine that harm your teeth. Give up on smoking that damages your gums and makes your teeth vulnerable to sensitivity and other dental defects. Eat healthy foods that are good for your teeth. 

HOW TO PREVENT TEETH SENSITIVITY

Teeth sensitivity and most dental defects can get prevented if you follow the best oral practices that boost your oral health.

Brush your teeth twice a day and clean your tongue and gums while brushing.
Floss your teeth regularly to remove the plaque and prevents gum diseases like Gingivitis and Periodontitis.
Limit the consumption of sugary and acidic foods that increase the chances of plaque and cavities.

Avoid acidic drinks that harm your teeth.
Wear a mouthguard at night to prevent the grinding of teeth that chip away from the enamel.
Give up on an unhealthy lifestyle that harms your teeth.
Visit the dentist for a regular dental checkup to detect and cure the dental defects in the early stage to prevent worse consequences. 
Also, get the professional dental cleaning done at least once in six months to prevent plaque formation.

If good care gets nourished to the oral cavity, a maximum of the oral defects can be prevented. If your teeth sensitivity worsens, visit our dental clinic, The Elite Dental Care, the best dental clinic in Tracy, California to treat your teeth sensitivity. 