Oral care hygiene is equally important as other aspects of your overall health. Good oral hygiene promotes a good overall health. If you start facing any sort of oral hygiene troubles, they do have the possibility to affect other aspects of your health.
Having good oral health habits is very important to protect your mouth and teeth from getting any sort of problems. There are lots of issues that you may face due to a poor oral hygiene. One of these most common problems that you may face is tooth sensitivity. Sensitivity in your teeth may be severe at times, not allowing you to have a hot cup of coffee in winter and an ice-cream cone in summer.
Lots of things can cause your teeth to be sensitive. A few people may get cramps while eating or drinking anything, while other people may suffer from a severe torture even when brushing the teeth.
Let us take a look at a few of the most common causes that create tooth sensitivity, which are as below.
- Tooth decay or cavities
- Fractured teeth
- Worn out fillings
- Gum diseases
- Worn out tooth enamel
- Exposed tooth root
Some people are so badly affected by tooth sensitivity that they cannot participate in these common activities. However, there are ways to control and reduce the tooth sensitivity. Let us take a look at a few of these tips as below.
Use Toothpaste Specifically Made For Sensitivity
Today, you get several good brands of toothpaste on the market that help you deal with your sensitivity in the most efficient way. Some of these pastes contain an ingredient called potassium nitrate, which effectively helps to block the tiny tubules in the dentin. Normally, these toothpastes do not work effectively or equally for everyone, because it depends on how you use them. Several people use this kind of toothpaste for a short while and then stop using it. In such a case, it won’t have any effect on your sensitivity. Therefore, it is advisable that you should continue using this paste for a longer period to have effective results.
Change Your Brushing Technique
If you are brushing your teeth vigorously or aggressively, it is bound to affect your tooth enamel. It will gradually wear out your enamel, which is said to be a protective shield to your teeth. Therefore, your aggressive brushing may harm the enamel and the wearing out of the enamel, causes the sensitivity of the teeth to increase. So, it is advisable that you brush your teeth softly and continuously with a soft toothbrush.
Avoid Too Much Having Of Acidic Foods And Drinks
Beverages such as red wine, fruit juices and acidic foods like oranges and pickles can put your enamel at risk. Eating and having these foods and drinks on a continuous basis or in an increasing amount, will harm your enamel. Therefore it is advisable that you intake these foods and beverages in a reduced quantity and brush your teeth for about 20 minutes after having them. Moreover, you should not brush your teeth immediately after having these acidic foods and drinks, as your enamel will be in a weak condition. Therefore, brush your teeth after a while.
Check With Your Dentist For Gingivitis
Periodontal diseases and receded gums are also the major causes of having tooth sensitivity. It is advisable that you check your oral health with your dentist at regular intervals to ensure it is free from gingivitis and other gum diseases. Your gums recede with age, and therefore it is crucial that you get them checked at regular intervals to avoid any sort of oral diseases. Moreover, if you feel frequent pain in your gums, it is critical that you brush your teeth softly with a soft toothbrush.
You Can Go For a Paint Job With Your Dentist
If you do not find much relief with a desensitizing toothpaste, it is advisable that you should ask your dentist about painted-on barriers. They offer a protective shield to your tooth enamel for a prescribed period, depending on the type of material used. This material is applied on the affected or the sensitive areas of teeth, which stays on your teeth for a couple of months to a year.
Avoid Tooth Grinding
Lots of people have the habit of tooth grinding when they are tensed or while sleeping. Grinding of the teeth wears out your tooth enamel, causing weakening of teeth and creating sensitivity. You may not realize about this habit of yours but should consciously avoid it to have a good oral health and protect your teeth from sensitivity. If you cannot control your habit while sleeping, it is advisable to wear a mouthguard, which will enable you to get rid of this habit.
Cure Your Receding Gums
If you have bleeding gums, it is a sign of danger to your oral health. Yes, you should not take this lightly, and should immediately see your dentist. Get your bleeding or receding gums cured to avoid the tooth sensitivity. Normally, your tooth is covered up by your gum tissue. But, if you have gum recession due to any reason, then the root is exposed and the cementum can be worn away. Your dentist can rebuild or restore your receding gums, so do not delay your dental visit.
Thus, tooth sensitivity is very common, yet it gives terrible pain, but it is not impossible to treat it. Make conscious efforts to take extra care of your oral hygiene and promote good oral habits.