Winter is here, and while you can enjoy playing in the snow and drinking hot cocoa, the cold affects our lips and skin more noticeably. Our teeth are no exception. 1 in 8 Americans suffers from tooth sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the inner part of the tooth is exposed. When the protective layer is lost, temperature, pressure, and the acidity of food and drink can activate the nerves in the tooth. Read on to discover steps you can take to relieve and prevent tooth sensitivity.
What Are Steps I Can Take To Prevent Tooth Sensitivity During The Winter?
- Manage What You Eat
- Use Toothpaste Formulated For Sensitivity
- Use A Soft Toothbrush Instead Of Hard Bristles
- Be Careful With Tooth Whitening Products
- Make A Salt Water Mouthwash
- Mouth Guards At Night Can Help You
- Have Your Gums Checked Out
- Seek Professional Help From Your Dentist
Manage What You Eat
If you have sensitive teeth, it’s best to avoid acidic foods and drinks. It may be common sense to stay away from foods and drinks that are hot or cold enough to make you grimace, but you also want to avoid those that are acidic. Acidic foods can erode tooth enamel and further increase tooth sensitivity. If you do decide to eat these types of foods, wait an hour before brushing your teeth. After eating acidic food or drink, give your body’s saliva time to neutralize the acid and strengthen the enamel surface to prevent erosion.
Utilize Toothpaste Formulated For Sensitive Teeth
Using toothpaste specially formulated to treat tooth sensitivity can help relieve symptoms. Specially-formulated toothpaste contains an ingredient that temporarily fills small cavities in the enamel and dentin. This process relieves pressure on the sensitive nerves of the tooth.
Use A Soft Toothbrush Instead Of Hard Bristles
A simple trick for relieving sensitive teeth is to change your toothbrush. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush can make your condition worse. Hard bristles and abrasive toothpaste can stress the enamel, causing more microscopic cavities and ultimately more sensitivity. They can also exacerbate receding gums, leading to exposed dentin and nerve sensitivity. Try using a soft-bristle toothbrush, and be sure to brush gently to protect the tooth surface and preserve the integrity of the gums.
Be Careful With Tooth Whitening Products
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are a major cause of tooth sensitivity. Teeth whitening treatments, including at-home teeth whitening trays or strips, may cause hypersensitive or painful teeth in some people. If you want to brighten your smile, it’s best to be cautious and talk to your dentist about teeth whitening for sensitive teeth.
Make A Salt Water Mouthwash
Making a salt water mouthwash can help reduce tooth sensitivity quickly. Saltwater balances the pH in your mouth and creates an alkaline environment that reduces bacterial growth. It also reduces dental plaque. A saline rinse is easily made by mixing two teaspoons of salt with a cup of warm water. You can make this solution at-home and try implementing it morning and night until your tooth sensitivity improves.
Mouth Guards At Night Can Help You
Sometimes sensitive teeth are caused by grinding teeth at night. If you suffer from bruxism, your dentist can take impressions of your teeth and create a custom mouth guard to wear while you sleep. This protection prevents stress and prevents possible tooth damage from nighttime teeth grinding.
Have Your Gums Checked Out
Healthy gums protect teeth and prevent tooth sensitivity, but diseased or receding gums can be a major cause of tooth sensitivity. As gum tissue dissolves and moves away from the surface of the tooth, the roots of teeth below the gum line are exposed. This leaves the nerves somewhat exposed and can cause significant discomfort. If you have tooth sensitivity and bleeding gums, have your dentist give you a check-up exam to make sure you do not have gum disease that needs treatment.
Seek Professional Help From Your Dentist
If your tooth sensitivity persists, seeking dental help is crucial. During a professional examination, we can find out the cause of your tooth sensitivity so that it can be treated appropriately. Sensitivity can be caused by receding gums, cavities, enamel erosion, or other dental problems such as tooth grinding, a root infection, and a cracked tooth.
We know that tooth sensitivity causes severe discomfort and Hallock Family Dental in Texas is ready to help you with modern digital technology and treatments. For a decade, Hallock Family Dental has been providing services that can help you resolve dental issues related to tooth sensitivity such as implants, CEREC Same-day crowns, and SureSmile aligners to families in Allen, McKinney, and the surrounding communities. Call our Allen location at 972-390-7200 or our McKinney location at 972-547-1775 to learn more about how we can help you and your family have the healthiest, brightest smiles possible.
