The sensation caused by sensitive teeth is nearly impossible to describe, but there’s no mistaking that awful zigging feeling whenever you drink something too cold or hot. The good news is that you don’t need to endure this pain the rest of your life. Sensitive teeth are caused by specific issues that can often be resolved, and there are many different treatments now available to combat sensitivity and restore health to your teeth.
Why Are Your Teeth Sensitive?
There are many different factors that might be causing your teeth to feel sensitive and uncomfortable. For most adults, sensitive arises out of a combination of multiple factors, rather than one isolated reason.
- You Brush Too Tough: If you are using a hard-bristled toothbrush or using too much force while brushing, you might actually be eroding the protective layers of your teeth. Over enough time, this will expose tiny canals that lead right to your dental nerves.
- You Love Acidic Foods: There’s no denying that coffee, oranges, and wine taste great, but they tend to cause more pain if your nerves are already exposed.
- You Grind Your Teeth: Grinding your teeth can have many unpleasant side effects, including increased tooth sensitivity. Grinding down your teeth wears away enamel, which strips your teeth of protection. The nerves are then more exposed to be affected by hot, cold, and touch.
- You Overuse Whitening Toothpastes and Mouthwash: Whitening toothpastes and mouthwash seem like smart oral health tools, but the truth is that they contain chemicals that are more harmful than helpful. They have the power to make your teeth even more sensitive.
- Your Gums Are Diseased: Gum disease is known to cause severe tooth sensitivity since gums recede from the teeth and lose their support system. If you have gum disease, you also probably have excessive plaque in your mouth, which also erodes tooth enamel and exposes nerve endings.
Tackling Tooth Sensitivity At Home
If your teeth are becoming increasingly sensitive, this is not a change you should ignore. It’s possible that your tooth sensitivity is a sign of a larger problem that must be addressed. For your own comfort, you can try a few at-home remedies to alleviate pain. First, select a soft toothbrush head on an electric toothbrush and make a determined effort to brush without too much pressure. Second, steer clear of highly acidic food choices like coffee, citrus fruits, wine, and soda. You should also discontinue your use of whitening toothpastes and harsh mouthwashes. Select natural and holistic products instead that can be trusted to protect your teeth and restore their strength.
Coconut oil pulling, salt water rinsing, and essential oil use are three other natural yet effective home remedies that are known to minimize sensitivity. Since oil pulling removes plaque and toxins from the mouth and reduces inflammation of the gums, it helps your teeth feel less sensitive. A salt water rinse, meanwhile, relieves tooth sensitivity by improving the pH balance of your mouth and creating a more alkaline environment. Harmful bacteria cannot survive in an alkaline environment! Finally, essential oils like peppermint, clove, and cinnamon are proven antiseptics, anti-inflammatories, and anesthetics. Whether you blend them together or use separately, just one or two drops into your toothpaste can make a world of difference!
Turn to a Holistic Dentist For Advanced Sensitivity Treatment
Beyond home remedies, only your holistic dentist can provide advanced treatment options to alleviate severe sensitivity. At Natural and Cosmetic Dentistry in Clearwater, Florida, Dr. Beata A. Carlson and Associates will closely evaluate the health of your mouth, your lifestyle habits, and your diet choices to determine the best treatment plan for your sensitive teeth. Dr. Beata A. Carlson and Associates are dedicated to offering their patients gentle and minimally invasive holistic treatments, so call 727-888-6523 today to make your appointment.
