Sensitive teeth can be a pain - literally.
Favorite foods and drinks can suddenly hurt to consume and even external temperature changes can leave you cringing.
The pain makes people desperate enough to change their diets, switch to new toothpaste and make emergency trips to the dentist.
It doesn't have to be this way, though.
Tooth sensitivity can be caused by a variety of things, some of which you can easily deal with yourself.
Plaque Buildup One of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity is plaque buildup.
If you don't brush often enough or if you are brushing too lightly, you are leaving plaque on your teeth where it can slowly erode your enamel, leading to sensitivity.
You can prevent plaque buildup by brushing every morning and evening for 2-3 minutes.
Be sure to schedule and attend dental appointments every six months.
Brushing Too Hard Some people brush often enough, but they are very aggressive with their brushing.
In addition to removing plaque, they also remove some of the defensive layers of the teeth in their zeal, leaving the tooth exposed and more sensitive.
To avoid brushing too hard, use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush your teeth gently.
Professional-grade electric toothbrushes are also very effective at removing plaque without letting you accidentally use too much force.
Harsh Dental Products We all want to have a beautiful smile, but some of the teeth whitening products we use can be particularly harsh.
Many of the whitening agents found in toothpastes and mouthwashes can aggravate your teeth and cause sensitivity.
If you find that your teeth are sensitive when you are brushing them or using mouthwash, try switching to a different product without whitening chemicals.
For particularly stubborn sensitivity, consider switching to products for people with sensitive teeth.
Grinding Your Teeth If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you may cause damage to your tooth enamel that results in nerve exposure.
You will need to have these extremely sensitive nerves taken care of during dental cleanings at your dentist's office, but you also need to address the root issue of grinding your teeth.
Stress is the most frequently cited cause for grinding one's teeth, so dentists encourage patients who grind their teeth to try to eliminate stress from their lives and participate in relaxing activities in the hour before they go to bed.
In addition to lowering stress, your dentist may prescribe a mouth guard to wear at night to protect your teeth from the damage of grinding.
Favorite foods and drinks can suddenly hurt to consume and even external temperature changes can leave you cringing.
The pain makes people desperate enough to change their diets, switch to new toothpaste and make emergency trips to the dentist.
It doesn't have to be this way, though.
Tooth sensitivity can be caused by a variety of things, some of which you can easily deal with yourself.
Plaque Buildup One of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity is plaque buildup.
If you don't brush often enough or if you are brushing too lightly, you are leaving plaque on your teeth where it can slowly erode your enamel, leading to sensitivity.
You can prevent plaque buildup by brushing every morning and evening for 2-3 minutes.
Be sure to schedule and attend dental appointments every six months.
Brushing Too Hard Some people brush often enough, but they are very aggressive with their brushing.
In addition to removing plaque, they also remove some of the defensive layers of the teeth in their zeal, leaving the tooth exposed and more sensitive.
To avoid brushing too hard, use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush your teeth gently.
Professional-grade electric toothbrushes are also very effective at removing plaque without letting you accidentally use too much force.
Harsh Dental Products We all want to have a beautiful smile, but some of the teeth whitening products we use can be particularly harsh.
Many of the whitening agents found in toothpastes and mouthwashes can aggravate your teeth and cause sensitivity.
If you find that your teeth are sensitive when you are brushing them or using mouthwash, try switching to a different product without whitening chemicals.
For particularly stubborn sensitivity, consider switching to products for people with sensitive teeth.
Grinding Your Teeth If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you may cause damage to your tooth enamel that results in nerve exposure.
You will need to have these extremely sensitive nerves taken care of during dental cleanings at your dentist's office, but you also need to address the root issue of grinding your teeth.
Stress is the most frequently cited cause for grinding one's teeth, so dentists encourage patients who grind their teeth to try to eliminate stress from their lives and participate in relaxing activities in the hour before they go to bed.
In addition to lowering stress, your dentist may prescribe a mouth guard to wear at night to protect your teeth from the damage of grinding.
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