Do You Have Sensitive Teeth?

If you have sensitive teeth, you know it can be pretty painful at times. You’ve become a pro at avoiding foods and drinks that are too hot or cold so you don’t feel any discomfort. You might have changed the way you brush and floss as well. What can you do about sensitive teeth? Keep reading to find out.

What Makes Teeth Sensitive

When the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, exposing the softer dentin underneath, it creates tooth sensitivity. This occurs because dentin has tubes that lead to the center of the tooth, which houses the nerve. Temperature changes and sugar can reach the nerve tissue through these tubes, causing discomfort when you drink orange juice or eat ice cream.

Most of the time, tooth sensitivity results from:

• poor oral hygiene
• aggressive brushing
• tooth decay
• overusing teeth whitening products
• clenching and grinding (bruxism)
• gum disease 

We can alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with tooth sensitivity with a visit to our office.

Treatments for Sensitive Teeth

You can get relief from tooth sensitivity by visiting us for an examination. After we determine the cause, we’ll create a treatment plan to address the issue. We may recommend:

• Dental bonding
• Deep cleaning
• A filling
• Dental sealants
• A custom mouthguard

There are also measures you can take at home to help your sensitive teeth:

1. Get a Professional Dental Cleaning: Plaque and tartar buildup between teeth and along the gumline can cause tooth sensitivity. A professional cleaning at our office will give you much-needed relief and a clean slate from which to start at home. Sticking to a consistent oral hygiene routine at home should keep the sensitivity from returning.
2. Improve Your Oral Hygiene Regimen: The number one cause of dental problems, including sensitive teeth, is poor oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to keep plaque and tartar from building up. Your technique is also important. If you’re brushing too aggressively, we recommend being gentler. You don’t need a lot of pressure to clean your teeth. If you take your time and use a soft toothbrush, you’ll have better results and less sensitivity.
3. Quit Using Store-Bought Whitening Products: Chronic use of over-the-counter whitening strips, toothpaste, and mouthwash or oral care products infused with charcoal will damage your tooth enamel. Store-bought whitening products can be harsh and contain abrasive substances that accelerate wear. Instead, opt for professional teeth whitening at our office and switch to a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth.
4. Change Your Diet: This one may be challenging, especially if you enjoy orange juice, coffee, tomatoes, vinegar, or pickles. However, highly acidic foods and beverages make tooth sensitivity worse. You can still enjoy the foods and drinks you love but in moderation to reduce their effects on tooth enamel. For example, cut back to one small coffee a day, add blended carrots to tomato sauce to counteract the acidity, and instead of vinaigrette on your salad, choose a creamy version instead. Small changes can make a big difference.

Tooth sensitivity is uncomfortable and inconvenient, and we want to help. Call our office located in West Chester, OH today to schedule a consultation so we can get to the root of your tooth sensitivity.