Treating Your Sensitive Teeth At Home

You know you have sensitive teeth if you drink something or eat something cold and you get that ZING. You can also feel a sharp pain when you eat something sweet like icing or candy. It can even happen with something hot or sour. There can be several causes to this sensitivity and visiting your dentist is the best way to figure out what is causing your sensitivity.

The cause can be anything from a injury from biting down on something hard, grinding your teeth or clenching your teeth too tight. Some people experience sensitive teeth after having dental work like having a filling. Others can experience sensitivity when teeth have shifted and two are hitting each other. Some sensitivity will lessen or even disappear over time. Others like, when there is tooth trauma, will not stop until your dentist repairs the tooth. Before your dental appointment there are several things you can do at home to try to cope with the discomfort of sensitive teeth. After your dental appointment and if the dentist has determined that the sensitivity is from simple dental abrasion or from your gums receding; you can try the home remedies.

Desensitizing Toothpaste can be purchased over-the-counter in most drug stores, discount chain stores and grocery stores. This special type of toothpaste works by filling in tubules in the dentin.

Two Brands

Colgate Sensitive Maximum Strength Plus Whitening

This toothpaste contains potassium nitrate, a substance that has been clinically proven to soothe nerve ends. It also helps by building an increased protection against that zing you feel because of your sensitive teeth. It has also been known to provide long-term relief with regular use. Has a minty flavor to it. It also whitens your teeth.

Sensodyne Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth, Extra Whitening

This brand proclaims to be the #1 desensitizing toothpaste recommended by dentists for over 20 years. The tube labeling says to use twice a day, in a manner like you would regular toothpaste. This toothpaste also contains Potassium nitrate. The label says that you should receive relief within two weeks.

Prevention

Fluoride Rinse can be used once a day. Do not swallow the rinse, just swish it around in your mouth and then spit it out. These rinses help to decrease the occurrence of dental cavities.

Keeping your teeth clean by using proper tooth brushing technique (not brushing too hard) and using a soft toothbrush. Making a habit of brushing with less pressure will decrease the chance of dental trauma.

If you chew tobacco snuff, you should stop. Chewing snuff can cause your gums to recede, can cause dental decay and mouth cancers.

How To Know When You Should See Your Dentist:

When your teeth are persistently sensitive to pressure.

When a tooth is consistently sensitive, you should see the dentist because it could mean that the pulp in that particular tooth is infected or possibly dying.

When you have tried some desensitizing toothpaste and there has not been any improvement in two weeks.

The sensitivity becomes a pain that lasts for more than one hour.

You notice that the gums around the tooth that is sensitive changes color.

You notice signs of obvious tooth decay.