How to Treat Your Sensitive Teeth

If the thought of biting into an ice cream cone makes you cringe, you might be suffering from dentin hypersensitivity. (Or possibly pagotophobia – a fear of ice cream – but that’s a subject for a different blog!)

More commonly known as sensitive teeth, it’s a condition that causes a painful or uncomfortable reaction in the teeth, usually when eating or drinking. Tooth sensitivity can be due to many different causes, and, luckily, can oftentimes be relieved by simple changes to your oral hygiene routine.

Common Causes of Sensitive Teeth

Dental sensitivity is often triggered by certain foods and drinks, with different people reacting to different inputs like heat, cold, sweet, or acidic. Some people are even bothered by drawing in cold air across their teeth!

Whether you have sensitivity in a single tooth, a few teeth, or your entire mouth, it’s very likely that the cause is one of the following:

• Brushing too hard, or with a hard bristle toothbrush

• Tooth grinding at night or during stress

• Regular consumption of acidic foods and beverages, such as coffee and soda

• Conditions such as acid reflux, gastroparesis, or bulimia

• Gingival gums or other periodontitis (gum disease)

• Tooth decay, broken or chipped teeth

• Worn-down fillings or crowns

• Temporary sensitivity following dental work like fillings or whitening

Treating Tooth Sensitivity

In many cases, making a few simple changes to your dental habits can greatly improve your symptoms and make your teeth less sensitive. Some changes to try:

• Switch to a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth

• Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash or mouth rinse

• Use a softer toothbrush, and brush more gently

• Cut back or eliminate sugary and/or acidic beverages

• Discontinue at-home tooth whitening, ask your dentist about professional whitening which often causes far less sensitivity

• Reduce stress to help with tooth grinding, and consider speaking to your dentist about a mouth guard

If your dental sensitivity is a chronic issue that isn’t improving with changed habits, book an appointment with your dentist to check for potential issues like cavities, loose fillings, or recessed gums. BrightWork dentists Dr. Crowley and Dr. Iachini also work with patients to manage chronic tooth sensitivity, and even offer sedation dentistry for patients who find regular cleanings too uncomfortable.

If you’ve been just “living with” your tooth sensitivity, it’s time to make changes today to alleviate your symptoms and protect your teeth from further damage. Request an appointment at BrightWork Family Dentistry to get on the road to healthier and less sensitive teeth.