5 tips to help reduce sensitive teeth

While a wince here and there when having ice cream etc. is common, sensitive teeth can be a daily nuisance and a right pain in the mouth! Here’s 5 tips to help reduce sensitive teeth.
Tooth sensitivity, also known as dentine hypersensitivity, is pain or discomfort in the teeth as a response to certain stimuli, such as hot or cold temperatures. Cold and hot foods, drinks, sugary sweets, even a bluster of cold air can make your teeth throb in agony.

Sensitive teeth can also be a symptom of an underlying issue like weakened enamel, recessed gums, or cavities. In some cases, the toothpaste and toothbrush you’re using might actually be the reason why you have sensitive teeth. Switching to a gentler toothpaste and softer toothbrush might solve the problem, too.

However, if the pain is severe, recurring, or it persists even after weeks of using these products, it’s best to book in with your dentist.

Change your toothpaste

Seek out toothpastes specially designed for sensitive teeth – there’s an array of products available which can help ease the pain and top-up your defences. Many contain potassium nitrate, which helps block the tiny tubules in the dentine – reducing sensitivity. Try Colgate’s Sensitive Pro-Relief Enamel Repair Toothpaste because it treats the pain and helps to repair enamel damage or Oral B Gum & Enamel Repair

Be gentle when brushing

Change the way you brush – brushing your teeth isn’t a reason to show off your muscles; there’s absolutely no need to brush aggressively and flex those biceps. Scrubbing with vigour is not effective, and in fact, it can wear away enamel, your teeth’s natural defences, which increases sensitivity.  Philips’ Sonicare 3 Series Electric Toothbrush leaves your mouth feeling as if you had just gotten a professional cleaning. While Oral-B’s manual Pro-Health All-in-One Soft Bristle Toothbrush features bristles positioned at different angles, so will hit different areas of each tooth. For the ultimate soft but very effective Brush try Curaprox’s CS5460 Ultra soft brush, available in a huge array of colours for all the family.

Stop grinding your teeth

Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw when stressed wears away the enamel and increases sensitivity. Although this can sometimes be a difficult habit to get out of, your dentist can help. Bite guards worn through the day or at night help prevent grinding and tooth wear. Did you know that BOTOX is as an alternative treatment for jaw clenching and grinding? ALSO for TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint) disorders and associated pain. When injected into facial muscles it can relieve TMJ and jaw tension for many patients, and can reduce clenching and grinding. The injection often also eliminate tensions headaches resulting from teeth grinding.

Address receding gums

Reduce your receding gums – the root of all your teeth may be the root of your sensitivity problem. Your gum tissue covers the root of your teeth and shields it from worries. But day-to-day wear – think intense brushing or gum disease – can induce gum recession. This will expose your tooth’s frail roots! But don’t fret, your dentist may be able to rebuild or restore your gums.

Ditch sugary drinks

Avoid certain food and drinks as over time, red wine, sugary soft-drinks, and acidic-foods can deteriorate your enamel. By limiting the consumption of such foods, you’ll help reduce enamel loss and keep your pearly whites strong and resistant.