If you have ever had sensitive teeth, you can relate to the stinging sensation that can send your flying out of your seat from simply taking a sip of ice water or biting into an ice cream bar. So why do your teeth react to hot, cold, sweet or sour and even sometimes to pressure? Teeth become sensitive for many different reasons so it usually takes a visit to the dentist to get to the bottom of your discomfort.
By far the most common cause of tooth sensitivity to temperature and sweet or sour foods is exposed dentin, the hardened tissue just beneath the tooth’s enamel that contains microscopic nerve fibers. Dentin can become exposed as a result of dental decay, food or toothbrush abrasion, or gum recession. Regardless of the cause, exposed nerves make the teeth sensitive.
If you develop sensitivity in one or more teeth, first see your dentist to determine the cause. Then, if your sensitivity is caused by simple enamel abrasion or by normal gum recession, try the following home remedies for relief.
Try desensitizing toothpaste. Try brushing with desensitizing toothpaste, which you can buy over the counter. Put some of the toothpaste on your finger or cotton swab and spread it over the sensitive spots before you go to bed. Spit, but don’t rinse. Within a few weeks, your teeth should begin to feel less sensitive.
Try a fluoride rinse. Fluoride rinses, available without a prescription at your local pharmacy or in the dental section of grocery stores, can help decrease sensitivity, especially for people plagued with decay problems. Use it once a day. Swish it around in your mouth, and then spit it out.
If this doesn’t help, you may need a stronger fluoride rinse or gel than the ones available over the counter. In these situations, your dentist can apply a fluoride gel that helps relieve the problem.
Keep your teeth clean. Plaque, the white gummy substance that forms on teeth, produces an acid that irritates teeth, especially if your teeth are naturally sensitive. Attack your plaque daily by brushing at least twice, preferably right after eating and especially before bed, and don’t forget to floss.
Use a soft toothbrush. Did you know you could actually be causing tooth sensitivity by brushing with too much force and/or brushing with a hard-bristled brush? Abrasive brushing habits can damage the protective tooth enamel. When the gum-line recedes (often as a natural part of the aging process), exposed dentin becomes even more vulnerable to toothbrush abrasion. Use a brush with the softest bristles you can find, and apply only a small amount of pressure when brushing.
