Sensitive teeth are a nightmare to handle. You will find it hard taking cold drinks, hot, and spicy food. The feeling you get is akin to a bolt of pain that attacks your teeth. This is when you need to work with a good dentist in Brooklyn to handle the situation. But first, let us look at what you need to do.
Sensitive teeth can make you lose weight because you won’t be able to eat well.
Let us look at a few steps to minimize teeth sensitivity.
Know the Root Cause of Sensitivity
Teeth cannot be sensitive without any reason. If you are part of the 15 percent of the population that suffers from this condition, then it is vital to know why you feel this pain when you attempt to eat something.
Sensitivity occurs when nerve endings get exposed, usually due to wearing away of the tooth enamel. Nerve endings are usually sensitive to heat and cold, which, if exposed to these conditions, will irritate them.
Understanding the cause of the sensitivity will help you to come up with the best approach for treatment. The dentist will work with you to find a solution to severe pain.
Opt for Special Toothpaste
Since you don’t know what the cause of the issue is, it is better to start with regular toothpaste meant for sensitive teeth. This works by blocking the nerve endings that are prone to irritation.
This toothpaste contains fluoride, potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. When choosing toothpaste, avoid those that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which is known to irritate the teeth.
You ought to brush your teeth using the toothpaste for a certain period because the desensitization takes time. If the toothpaste doesn’t help, you need to consult a good dentist in Brooklyn about the likelihood of changing your tactic.
Use Softer Strokes When Brushing Your Teeth
To avoid damaging your enamel and gums, you need to use a soft-bristled brush. A hard brush might seem the right one to remove food particles lodged in the gaps, but at the end of the day, it scratches the enamel, revealing the underlying tissues.
When brushing the teeth, use easy strokes, particularly when you brush near the gum line.
Maintain a Consistent Routine
You need to practice a daily oral care routine when taking care of your teeth. It is recommended that you brush your teeth both in the morning and at night just before bed. Don’t forget to floss daily.
You need to check your toothbrush regularly for fraying and know when to replace it. Use a mouthwash that is high in fluoride to reduce tooth sensitivity. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol, because this will dry your mouth ad make the pain more severe.
Avoid Grinding Your Teeth
Studies show that more than ten percent of the population suffers from involuntary teeth grinding.This habit usually occurs at night, which means most people don’t even realize it is happening.
Teeth grinding can be caused by particular medications, constant worry, and sleep disorders. Grinding every night places a lot of force on the teeth, this, in turn, eats away at the enamel, which increases the sensitivity of the teeth.
Signs that you have this condition include morning headaches or a sore jaw. Your teeth appear smooth as if they have been filed. A dentist will come up with a tailored mouth guard that you wear at night to prevent gritting of teeth.
Avoid Teeth-whitening Medications
If you use teeth whitening products repeatedly, you might experience sensitive teeth. The truth is that these products usually contain chemicals that affect the enamel. The peroxide penetrates the enamel and uncovers nerve endings, causing sensitivity.
Use an alternative teeth whitening product that doesn’t affect the enamel.
Avoid Foods that Contain Acids
Acid destroys enamel, revealing nerve endings. Eating hot, cold, or spicy foods irritates nerve endings, causing a lot of pain. The sudden temperature change causes heightened sensitivity
Don’t Tolerate the Pain
If the pain persists for more than a few days, you need to contact a dentist. Persistent pain is a sign that there is an underlying condition that makes things take longer than expected.
Always call the dentist and report any sign of pain or pus in the tooth. Remember that the earlier you report an issue with your teeth, the easier it is to manage it.
Get a Good Dentist in Brooklyn for Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth can make your life hard – you won’t be able to take cold nor hot drinks nor enjoy spicy food. Talk to a dentist that understands how to handle sensitive teeth to make sure you avoid this problem.
