What can I do about sensitive teeth?

Sensitive teeth can make eating and drinking miserable – that sudden, searing pain out of the blue can really take the edge off a lovely meal.

Eating and drinking are such a major part of life that experiencing pain when doing so will quickly becoming incredibly frustrating.

Even worse for some people all it takes is exposure to cold air or brushing the teeth to set off sensitive tooth pain.

But what causes sensitive teeth and what can you do about it?

What causes sensitive teeth?

Sensitive teeth are generally caused by some sort of damage to the surface of the tooth. This can be:

• A broken or fractured tooth
• A loose or cracked filling
• Damage to the enamel through eating acidic foods or even brushing too hard
• Receding gums exposing the root
• Erosion caused by grinding teeth

How to treat sensitive teeth

If there is an obvious problem such as a fractured tooth then the obvious solution to your sensitive tooth problem is to have the required treatment, such as a filling.

In the case of sensitive teeth caused by erosion there is often no need for dental intervention and instead a change in habits and toothpaste may help.

Always use a toothpaste containing fluoride and consider using a specialist toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.

Being aware of what you eat and drink and cutting back on acidic drinks and sugary snacks while using the specialist toothpaste will help.

Using a soft bristle brush is also advisable as this will reduce the friction on the surface and take away pressure for people who brush too firmly.

If the problem is caused by grinding your teeth speak to your dentist about having a mouth guard fitted to protect your teeth at night.

In the case of gum erosion it may be that some form of dental surgery as required so seek the advice of a dentist as soon as possible.

Sensitive teeth can really affect your ability to enjoy food properly so take action to find a solution as quickly as possible by consulting your dentist. For advice on sensitive teeth get in touch with Bhandal Dental Surgery.