Many people who have sensitive teeth often give up their favourite foods and drinks or put up with the pain because they are too afraid to visit the dentist.
For those of you who suffer from this, here are some tips on how to care for sensitive teeth for patients in Solihull.
Use special toothpaste
One of the most common recommendations for sensitive teeth sufferers is sensitive toothpastes. These toothpastes are formulated especially for sensitive teeth and contain either potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. Try this toothpaste for two or three weeks and if the sensitively doesn’t disappear try adding fluoride mouthwash to your routine.
Fluoride mouthwash
Rinsing your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash after brushing and flossing daily can help decrease sensitivity. If the fluoride rinse feels good but isn’t enough, a stronger varnish is available from your dentist. Ask your dentist about coating your teeth in a fluoride varnish to treat sensitivity. This will only take a few minutes to apply. Your dentist might suggest that you have periodic coatings as well as a prescribed a high-fluoride mouthwash. Beware of those over-the-counter mouthwashes as they also contain enamel-eroding acid. If you’re unsure about mouthwash ingredients, ask your dentist to recommend one. Dairy foods, such as milk or cheese, can help neutralize acid inside the mouth.
Brush after consuming foods and beverages
If you suffer from sensitive teeth it’s a good idea to brush after consuming sugar and starches as they are the start of a production of digestive acids in your mouth, while foods with a high acid content (like citrus fruit or soda) bring acid to your teeth directly. When you’re eating or drinking foods high in acid, starch or sugar, use a straw if possible and brush your teeth right after. This will lessen the time these substances spend on your teeth.
Drink water
When you’re away from home and your toothbrush, drinking water is one of the best ways of taking care of your teeth.
Drinking tap water wipes away lingering sugars and acids from your teeth. It’s a great way to lessen the effects of food or sodas when you can’t brush. And since tap water has fluoride added to it, studies say that it’s actually better for your teeth than bottled water.
Give us a call
We can help you to strengthen your teeth better than any toothpaste or remedy. If your gum lines have receded we can seal and protect the roots. If you are guilty of grinding your teeth at night you can ask about a mouth guard to wear over your teeth. The guard keeps you from grinding away your enamel in your sleep. If sensitivity occurs in a tooth with an old silver filling, we can redo the filling.Silver transmits hot and cold, so replacing a big silver filling with new material can eliminate pain. If your tooth is cracked, ask for a non-silver filling immediately to plug root exposure.
We can also catch causes of sensitivity, such as plaque build-up, before it gets worse.Do you suffer from sensitive teeth? Share your tips and remedies on our Facebook page.