What should I do if I have sensitive teeth?

   Have you ever encountered this situation: drink a mouthful of ice water, teeth like being electrified; eat some sweet, teeth immediately sour; even sucking cold air, teeth are uncomfortable? If so, you may be the ‘victim’ of tooth sensitivity.

Tooth sensitivity is actually a very common phenomenon, many people will experience more or less. But why do some people have sensitive teeth, while others can eat anything? What can you do if you have sensitivity? Let's talk about this today.

Why do you have sensitive teeth?

Simply put, tooth sensitivity is a problem with the ‘protective layer’ of the teeth. There is a layer of hard enamel on the surface of the teeth, which is like a layer of armour protecting the dentin inside.

If this layer of enamel thinning, damaged, dentin will be exposed, and dentin has a lot of access to the dental nerve tiny channel, once encountered cold, hot, sour, sweet stimulus, the nerve will ‘alarm’, so that you feel sore.

There are several common causes of tooth sensitivity:

Brushing too hard or toothbrush too hard: Some people like to brush their teeth and rub it hard, and even think that a hard-bristled toothbrush is cleaner, which results in thinning the enamel.

Eating too much acidic food: lemon, carbonated drinks, vinegar and other acidic foods can slowly erode tooth enamel.

Gum recession: When you get older, your gums tend to recede, exposing the roots of your teeth and making them more sensitive.

Tooth wear: Some people like to grind their teeth or chew too hard food for a long time, which damages the enamel over time.

Cavities and cracked teeth: Cavities or cracked teeth can also expose the dentin and cause sensitivity.

What should I do if I have sensitive teeth?

Now that we know the cause, we need to find ways to alleviate it. Here are a few ways to help you reduce the discomfort of sensitive teeth.

1. Improve the way you brush your teeth

Many people brush their teeth too hard, in fact, brushing does not lie in the ‘force’, but in the ‘right way’. It is recommended to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently in small, circular motions, avoiding vigorous horizontal brushing.

If the teeth are already very sensitive, you can try special anti-sensitive toothpaste, such as containing potassium nitrate, fluoride toothpaste, can reduce the sensitivity of the nerve.

2. Adjust dietary habits

If you love to drink carbonated beverages and eat acidic food, then it is best to control it. Especially just after eating acidic food, don't brush your teeth immediately, because the enamel will become more fragile at this time, you can rinse your mouth with water first, and then brush your teeth after half an hour.

3. Brush with lukewarm water and rinse with cold water less often

Cold water stimulation is supposed to make the teeth more sensitive, so if your teeth are already uncomfortable, try to use lukewarm water when brushing and rinsing to reduce the stimulation.

4. Quit grinding your teeth

If you love to grind your teeth in your sleep, try using night braces to protect your teeth and prevent further wear and tear on your enamel.

5. Visit your dentist regularly

If tooth sensitivity has affected your life, such as feeling pain even when you eat, it's time to see your dentist for a checkup. Dentists can help you do professional desensitisation treatments, such as applying fluoride and filling enamel defects, which can effectively alleviate the sensitivity problem.

Can tooth sensitivity be cured completely?

If the sensitivity is temporary, such as caused by eating too much acidic food or brushing your teeth in the wrong way, it usually recovers slowly after adjustments are made. However, if the enamel has been severely damaged or the gums have receded, the sensitivity cannot be fully recovered and can only be reduced through care and treatment.

How can I protect my teeth on a daily basis?

In order to prevent tooth sensitivity or keep sensitive teeth from getting worse, we can do the following:

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush your teeth gently to avoid damaging the enamel.

Choosing an anti-sensitivity toothpaste and using it consistently can help reduce discomfort.

Eat less food that is too acidic or too sweet to avoid too much stimulation of the teeth.

Develop good oral hygiene habits, brush your teeth in the morning and evening, and rinse your mouth after meals.

Have regular dental checkups to detect and deal with oral problems in a timely manner.

Although tooth sensitivity is not a major disease, it can be very uncomfortable and affect the quality of life. The good thing is that in most cases, we can alleviate it by improving the way we brush our teeth, adjusting our diet, and using an anti-sensitivity toothpaste.

If the sensitivity problem persists or is getting worse, it is important to visit your dentist in a timely manner and not wait until the pain is too much to handle. Caring for your teeth is caring for your health!