It can show itself in a variety of ways. You may take a sip of a hot or cold beverage and immediately wince. It might be windy and cold outside and opening your mouth can make it feel a lot worse. You have tooth sensitivity.
Yes, it can be aggravating, to say the least, but there are plenty of ways to help make it bearable. The solutions can range from inexpensive things that you can buy in a pharmacy to dental procedures.
Here is what you need to know in terms of how to treat tooth sensitivity.
Dental Fillings
One of the main causes of sensitive teeth can be cavities from tooth decay. So it’s really a simple matter of having the dentist clean out the area and then use a filling to protect the area. Sometimes the pain can be caused by a worn or broken filling that should be replaced.
Desensitizing Agents and Other Options
There are plenty of topical gels that you can get to apply to the sensitive area to numb it to the pain. This should not be a long-term fix, though. Use this as a stop-gap until you are able to get to the dentist so that they can look at the situation and come up with a solution. Doing otherwise can just be thought of as masking the pain and that could lead to other complications, like infection.
You can also find toothpastes that are specifically made for sensitive teeth. They have compounds that protect your tooth’s nerve endings from being irritated. The main part of the toothpaste is potassium nitrate, which can block pain signals. Use this for a few times – brush with a soft bristle brush – and you should see marked improvement within several days. Your dentist may also put fluoride on the affected area.
Gum grafts and root canals are last resort options.
Self-Care
Avoid drinking acidic foods and beverages. Other things you can do at home include swishing your mouth out with warm salt water. It’s an antiseptic that can kill bacteria. Using a rinse of an equal mix of warm water and hydrogen peroxide can be effective too. Your kitchen cabinet can have a host of other things that can help, including:
- Honey
- Green tea
- Turmeric
- Vanilla Extract
All of the above have properties that can help ease tooth sensitivity. Another thing to consider is capsaicin, which comes from chili peppers. Using this in gel form or a mouthwash – yes, it may sting at first, but does help with your symptoms.
Like many other things in life, you can play a very pivotal part in making sure you don’t have to see the dentist for this. Clenching your teeth at night can also damage your teeth, so look into mouthguards. Just like eating right, sleeping enough, and doing a certain amount of exercise can keep your body in great shape and give you enough energy to do the day-to-day activities like work and spend time with family and friends, so can taking care of your mouth affect how it feels.
Another thing you need to look out for is if you decide to improve the color of your teeth with whitening strips. Some people develop sensitive teeth and gums from the chemicals, so it’s something to be on the lookout for if you decide to go that route. It’s not something that will go away with more usage, so if you do feel sensitivity in that area, do not use the whitening strips any more.
It just takes a little bit of extra work to keep your teeth from getting sensitive. The best way to improve the odds toward your favor is to just simply practice good oral hygiene. That means properly brushing and flossing your teeth each day. Doing that will ensure that your mouth stays healthy and minimizes the chance of any wear and tear on your enamel, which can then expose the dentin. Then you can show off that healthy smile all the time.
Should you develop sensitivity in your teeth and you are a resident of Columbus, Ohio or nearby, come to US Dental Medical. The top-notch staff will gladly work with you to get you feeling just like you used to. Give them a call today to make an appointment – 614-252-3181.
Published By:
US Dental and Medical Care
949 E Livingston Ave,
Columbus, OH 43205
Phone: (614) 252-3181
Website: https://usdentalmedical.com
