Sensitive teeth can be very annoying as they can make your life miserable. It is really hard to let go of your favorite cold and hot dishes and drinks, let alone sweets or acidic foods. How to get rid of sensitive teeth? The pain usually comes along with the process of enamel wearing down and resulting in dentin layer exposure.
Fortunately, on one hand, there are few in-home ways to get rid of sensitive teeth and on the other hand, a couple of professionally done procedures that can give you quick relief from the pain of sensitive teeth.
This blog will provide you with the information of the major triggers of tooth sensitivity, the remedies that have shown effectiveness, professional treatments, and long-term care to solve the problem once and for all.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Sensitive teeth are a result of the damage and wear to the enamel (the outer layer) of the teeth that lead to the exposure of the dentin. Dentin is a more porous structure than enamel.
Therefore when it is contacted with hot or cold and even acidic substances it causes pain and discomfort. Those who have sensitive teeth will find a variety of reasons for their problem but the main ones to get rid of sensitive teeth would be:
- Tooth Decay: Tooth decay in the form of cavities or cracks in the teeth can cause the dentin to be exposed, and as a result, sensitivity will be experienced. Decay if not treated can get to a point where it will cause a lot of pain.
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Constant grinding or clenching of teeth will lead to the destruction of the enamel layer gradually, and at the same time, the teeth roots will be exposed to the air, thus causing sensitivity. Bruxism is generally during sleep and the total force that can be put on the teeth is therefore, very high.
- Dental Procedures: The first days after dental treatments like fillings, crowns, or bleaching are generally accompanied by a temporary rise in tooth sensitivity. The sensitivity from the dental procedure is usually the main problem of the patient during the recovery stage as it is quite disturbing.
How to Get Rid of Sensitive Teeth at Home?
Various variants of practically household-based treatments for the issue of tooth sensitivity are available by which the home can become the scene of combating this problem successfully.
It is acknowledged that the main objectives of these treatments are sealing of the sensory signals, reestablishing enamel, as well as delivering protection from the internal teeth.
Use of Desensitizing Toothpaste
The most powerful way to make sensitive teeth bearable and get rid of sensitive teeth is by treating the problem with the use of special dentifrices named desensitizing toothpaste. These toothpastes consist of materials that suppress the delivery of pain signals from the area affected by the tooth to the nerve of the teeth.
A great number of desensitizing toothpastes include potassium nitrate or strontium chloride as their main components, which calm down the nerve endings in the exposed dentin. With the regular use of desensitizing toothpaste not only can the sensitivity be reduced but also the teeth can be safeguarded against further wear.
Change to a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
Brushing with a toothbrush that has hard bristles or pressing too hard on the toothbrush can make your tooth sensitivity worse so in order to get rid of sensitive teeth you need to stop using them. Avoid using a soft-bristled toothbrush and using too strong brushing movements so as not to harm the enamel more. Soft bristles help you clean your teeth while protecting the enamel from the areas that have become sensitive and caused the wear.
Fluoride Treatments
Above all else, fluoride can do the most to help the reshaping of the enamel and the reduction of sensitivity as well. Fluoride treatments that are released in the form of gel or mouth rinse can be bought over the counter. In order to alleviate the sensitivity issue, you may use fluoride gels topically on your teeth or rinse with a fluoride mouthwash.
Fluoride remineralizes enamel and at the same time acts as a shield against painful stimuli. Treat your dentist as an advisor just in case you are not sure whether fluoride treatments are a good option for you.
Avoid Acidic Foods and Drinks
One of the ways to avoid the erosion of enamel is by reducing the consumption of acidic foods and drinks. For instance, the acidity of oranges, cola, coffee, and wine is such that if they are regularly consumed, they will cause enamel to break down, and to the sensitivity of the teeth.
To neutralize the acids and to provide some protection to the teeth, rinsing with water is quite effective if the acids have been ingested. It is advised not to brush your teeth right after an acid attack, as the acid will be brushed deeper into the enamel layer making your teeth more vulnerable.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a long-time practice that is done by putting oil, for instance, coconut oil, in the mouth and swishing it to get rid of bacteria and plaque. Some are of the opinion that oil pulling could be of great help in reducing tooth sensitivity and general oral hygiene. The oil should be swished around your mouth for 10-15 minutes daily to get rid of any germs and keep the gums and teeth healthy.
Professional Treatments for Sensitive Teeth
In general, home remedies can be used to reduce the feeling of mild and moderate sensitivity, in a number of ways. But, unfortunately, some tooth sensitivity cases go so far that they require professional solutions. In such instances, dentists not only take the help of the advanced tools to locate the root cause of the issue but also to solve it in the long run.
Fluoride Varnishes or Gels
Imagine breathing in after a long day and a dentist using a fluoride varnish or gel to beautify the parts of your teeth that cause you to wince; this is what is exactly happening in this professional treatment.
A fluoride varnish can block the route of signals that cause the nerves to transmit pain, thus becoming the relief source for sensitive teeth for several months. Meanwhile, the varnish is also carrying the duty of giving the enamel a makeover to the tiny patches in which it lost its strength, hence providing the user with the already mentioned relief.
Dental Bonding
If dental bonding is not an option, then the exposed roots or the worn teeth might get you in trouble. The dentist then applies the resin matched with your tooth’s shade on the spots of the teeth where the dentin is uncovered and therefore provides insulation against arctic or boiling temperature. Besides the fact that bonding will lead to the reduction of tooth sensitivity, another dime to the wearer’s smile can be added.
Gum Grafting
Generally, gum grafting is the proper recourse when tooth sensitivity is caused by gum recession. With this operation, the dentist snatches a healthy piece of the patient’s gums from an area of the mouth and places it on top of the exposed tooth roots.
Thus, the treatment not only beautifies but also stops the flow of sensitivity by allowing the nerves to be covered by the tissue that previously was the most exposed and vulnerable one.
Root Canals
Oral decay, in particular, deep-seated decay leading to nerve infection, is the major cause of extreme tooth sensitivity for which a root canal might be the only solution. The procedure carried out in root canal surgery that painstakingly needs to be done by a skilled professional is the extraction.
Root canal, for that matter, being a more radical alternative, effectively acts as a permanent escape route from the sensitivity if other remedies fail to bring about relief.
FAQ About Get Rid of Sensitive Teeth
Mild sensitivity can possibly get better over time as well as with the appropriate care, however, if the sensitivity is long-lasting then a professional treatment will be necessary.
Try a toothpaste for sensitive teeth, keep good oral hygiene and avoid acidic foods in order to reduce sensitivity.
Yes, however, make use of whitening products that are specifically designed for sensitive teeth.
The healing process is gradual and can take even a few weeks, however professional treatments are likely to provide a way out in less time.
Remedies like fluoride treatments, use of soft-bristled brushes, and limitation of acidic foods definitely can help to decrease sensitivity gradually.
References:
American Dental Association. (2022). Teeth sensitivity: Causes and treatment.
Mayo Clinic. (2022). Tooth sensitivity: What causes it and how to treat it. Retrieved from //www.mayoclinic.org
WebMD. (2021). Sensitive teeth and how to reduce discomfort. Retrieved from//www.webmd.com/oral-health
Colgate. (2022). Sensitive teeth and how to protect them.
