Five Tips for Dealing with Sensitive Teeth

Five Tips for Dealing with Sensitive Teeth

Do you find yourself experiencing pain when drinking hot or cold beverages? Do your teeth tingle when you eat sweet, sour, or acidic foods? If you do, then chances are you have sensitive teeth.

The pain that usually manifests itself when this happens is sharp, shooting and can be felt down to the nerves. It’s a frustrating condition that most of us would rather not deal with. The good news is that nobody really has to. Modern dentistry has discovered a variety of ways to prevent and address tooth sensitivity quickly and easily. We’re listing down some of the safest, most popular and most effective ones below:

Check your toothbrush – yes, your toothbrush may be the culprit when it comes to sensitive teeth. If the bristles on your toothbrush are too hard, these can remove the enamel on your teeth, making them sensitive. Try to get yourself a toothbrush that is soft yet firm enough to clean your teeth properly. Brushing your teeth too vigorously can also bring about bouts of tooth sensitivity, so you should also be a bit more gentler when brushing.

Plaque removal is a must – regular visits to your dentist to remove any plaque buildup should also be on your list of things to do when you have sensitive teeth. To keep plaque from building up as well, you should floss regularly and carefully.

Avoid beverages and foods that cause such a problem – to avoid the pain of sensitive teeth, it might be a good idea to stop eating or drinking whatever causes this to happen. Acidic food and drinks, hot and cold beverages, and sweets can cause tooth sensitivity to occur, so it might be a good idea to avoid these.

Use toothpaste that is formulated for sensitive teeth – toothpastes that are made specifically for use by those who have sensitive teeth come with desensitizing elements as well as cover tubules that build up lost enamel. You should make sure, however, that you do not use these toothpastes only when your teeth act up. You should use it regularly to prevent the recurrence of the pain brought about by sensitive teeth.

Have a dentist protect your teeth – when the use of desensitizing toothpastes don’t work, you should consider asking your dentist for barriers that they can “paint on” your teeth. This can include options like plastic resins, enamel coatings, or a fluoride varnish which can keep your teeth protected from the elements that trigger the pain of sensitivity. You will need to return to your dentist every few months to have this procedure redone since these coatings usually wear off over time.

These are just a few tips that may help you get rid of problems associated with sensitive teeth. To find out more about tooth sensitivity, why it happens, and what other options you have for making it go away, a visit to your dentist may be in order.

Dr. Allan Hawryluk
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Dr. Allan Hawryluk

Allan Hawryluk Jr. is a Mississauga-based dentist who has built a reputation for comprehensive dental care. Born and raised in Port Credit, he returned after completing his dental residency in 2003 at the University of Colorado, Denver Health Sciences Center. He feels privileged to serve the community and is committed to maintaining our clinic standards set by his late father - Dr. Allan R. Hawryluk (Sr).