Do you feel a whopping tooth pain kicking in while indulging in a warm cup of mouth-watering hot chocolate in the winter?
Or do you get a sudden jolt of shock like pain in your teeth while taking a sip of an icy, sugary drink?
If you are nodding in agreement, it’s time to pay extra attention to your oral health. It can be a sign of tooth sensitivity. Dealing with tooth sensitivity can be a real drag.
It makes you think twice before having something cold, hot or acidic. Sometimes even a cold wind against your pearly whites makes it start throbbing or stinging. You never know when this minor annoyance turns into a big problem.
Fortunately, there are ways to ease and prevent tooth sensitivity. Here are 10 effective strategies that work.
Brush Gently With a Soft-Bristled Brush
Many people think, the harder they will brush, the cleaner their teeth becomes. However, this isn’t the truth. In fact, you are increasing the risk of tooth sensitivity by vigorous brushing.
That’s because brushing too hard can make your gums to pull away from your teeth while exposing the nerve and this leads to tooth pain.
Remember, sensitive teeth need extra care. Hence, make sure to brush your teeth gently in an up-and-down motion using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Use Desensitizing Toothpaste
Desensitizing toothpaste usually includes potassium nitrate as a most active ingredient. It effectively blocks the transmission of sensation from a nerve in your tooth to your brain and shield nerve endings from irritants.
Using it twice daily can lessen your sensitivity issues within a few weeks. You can even rub a bit of desensitizing toothpaste directly on the more tender areas of your teeth.
Swish with Coconut Oil
Have you ever heard of oil pulling? It is a great way to coat the teeth and protect them against cavities. And the best oil to use for oil pulling is coconut oil.
With its amazing antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, coconut oil makes an ideal option to reduce teeth sensitivity. Just take some coconut oil and allow it to melt in your mouth.
Now swish it around your mouth as you would do with mouthwash and then spit.
Avoid Tooth Grinding
If you are a tooth grinder, chances are you will end up wearing down your enamel while making it worse for your tooth sensitivity problem.
This condition is called bruxism, and it can trigger sensitivity. Usually, people grind their teeth while sleeping at night. So, it is better to use a mouth guard while you sleep to prevent tooth damage.
Opt For Hydrogen Peroxide
Known for its mild antiseptic and disinfectant properties, hydrogen peroxide is usually used for sterilizing cuts, burns and other wounds in order to prevent infection. But do you know using peroxide as a mouth rinse can also prevent inflammation and heal gums?
Just add 3% hydrogen peroxide to equal parts warm water and swish it in your mouth. Spit it out after 30 seconds and rinse your mouth well with water.
Treat Periodontal Problems
Sometimes you try every option out there to get relief from your tooth sensitivity, but nothing works. Well, in this case, an untreated issue with your gums can be the culprit.
Receding gums causes pain and sensitivity by exposing the root of your tooth. You should go for a restorative procedure that addresses gum disease as it can have a huge impact on sensitive teeth.
Gargle with Salt Water
You may be aware of the antiseptic property of salt that can help to reduce inflammation.
Salt is equally effective for your sensitive teeth. Salt water rinse can alleviate pain symptoms from sensitive teeth. Take lukewarm water and add some salt to it. Now gargle with it twice daily to get relief from the pain.
Apply Clove Oil
Clove has a powerful germicidal property that numb pain. Also, it goes a long way when it comes to keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Its anti-inflammatory, anesthetic and anti-bacterial properties make it an effective remedy for oral infections and pain. Just add a drop of clove oil with coconut oil and apply gently on the affected tooth. Keep it for a few minutes and then wash it off with warm water.
Watch What You Eat
Highly acidic food and drinks wreak havoc on your teeth by dissolving tooth enamel. This results in dentin exposure and toothache.
So, it is better to stay away from carbonated sodas, citrus fruit-based juices, and citrus fruits that can wear away your teeth’s enamel and cause the gum line to recede.
Such foods make you susceptible to tooth sensitivity and tooth decay with its acidic nature. If you love eating citrus fruits, add them to a meal and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating such fruits.
Opt For a Fluoride Mouthwash
Fluoride can strengthen your teeth’s enamel layer and helps to protect your teeth against sensitivity. This all-natural mineral compound can also protect against tooth decay and cavities that lead to sensitive teeth.
So, it is a good practice to incorporate fluoride into your oral hygiene routine. Rinsing daily with a fluoride mouthwash after brushing your teeth can work wonder for your sensitivity issue. Besides that you can also make use of good quality water flosser to keep your mouth hygiene in good condition.
Conclusion
Tooth sensitivity can be treated. The above methods are effective for treating oral pain and teeth sensitivity.
But sometimes sensitive teeth can be a warning sign of some serious dental issues like a fractured tooth, worn fillings or an exposed root. So, if your symptoms persist even after a few days, find a local dentist for an evaluation.
