What Can I Do About Sensitive Teeth?

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

Sensitivity is very common and can be caused by a wide range of causes. If you’ve had recent dental work, you might notice a temporary increase in sensitivity. It could also be caused by damage to your teeth.

In this guide, we’re looking at the most common causes of dental sensitivity and offering some advice on how to tackle it.

What causes sensitive teeth?

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

Common symptoms of sensitive teeth

Sensitive teeth can lead to a wide range of symptoms, and you might not always be aware of how they are linked. The most common signs of sensitive teeth include:

The pain might be triggered by specific stimuli, or you might feel a more general sense of discomfort in your mouth. It might be a sharp or stabbing pain that seems to travel down the tooth root, or it could be more of an ache.

It’s also possible that you might experience pain when you brush your teeth, often due to the introduction of cold water.

Everyday habits that make sensitivity worse

Alongside the causes mentioned above, there are some everyday habits you might be doing that are making your tooth sensitivity much worse. This could include brushing your teeth too hard, or using a brush that is too firm.

It’s also possible to cause sensitivity by whitening your teeth too often. This could be with professional teeth whitening products provided by your dentist, or with teeth whitening strips. You should always follow your dentist’s advice on how often to whiten your teeth to avoid permanent damage to the enamel.

Other habits that can increase sensitivity could include your choice of toothpaste. If you have gum disease, you might need to switch to a toothpaste that is designed to address this issue to help protect against receding gums.

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.

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

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

If your teeth are sensitive because of a lack of dental enamel, we might recommend a restorative treatment such as crowns, veneers or bonding to help protect the tooth. This will create a protective layer over the tooth and should help to alleviate sensitivity.

Best products for sensitive teeth

While toothpaste products might make lots of claims, there are only a few that are actually worth paying attention to. Thankfully, claims about being able to help sensitive teeth are one of them.

Always use a toothpaste containing fluoride and consider using a specialist toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. These products help to remineralise the tooth surface to close gaps in the enamel. By closing these gaps, the nerves below will not be exposed and sensitive.

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.

If your sensitivity is caused by teeth whitening products, you might need to take a break for a while and consider a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your teeth. Speak to your dentist before you resume these treatments, as they may be able to recommend a treatment that will be more gentle to your tooth enamel and less likely to trigger sensitivity.

How can your dentist help with sensitivity?

There are lots of ways your dentist can help to diagnose and treat your sensitivity. First, they will get to the heart of the issue and determine why you are experiencing discomfort. If the issue is a structural issue related to your teeth, it’s essential to address this so that further damage does not occur.

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.

We might recommend a trip to the dental hygienist for a deep cleaning, which can help to address any instances of gum disease. This will give you a fresh start to allow you to care for your teeth correctly at home.