Sensitive Teeth? Let us help you!

Tooth sensitivity can be painful and inconvenient. Your sensitivity may be caused by a variety of problems from gum disease to cracked teeth to heredity. Here are 10 tips for taming it.

Change your toothpaste

This is a simple fix that works for many people. Toothpaste for sensitivity comes in a variety of brands. Try several yourself, or ask your friends or dental professional for recommendations. Remember that it can take a week or two for these kinds of toothpaste to work, so don’t give up too soon.

Rub vanilla on your gums

Vanilla extract is an antioxidant and can help reduce inflammation that may be causing your tooth sensitivity. It is also alcohol, so it can be used for numbing pain. Put a few drops of vanilla extract on a cotton ball, and rub it on your gums.

Drink through a straw

If hot or cold liquids are a problem for your teeth, drink them through a straw. This keeps the extreme temperature from your sensitive areas and also keeps the acid off your teeth.

Gargle saltwater

Mix salt into warm water. Swish the mixture in your mouth for at least 30 seconds. The salt works as an antiseptic and can help relieve your pain. If you do this every day, it can decrease your overall tooth sensitivity over time.

Avoid acidic foods

The acid in food can irritate already sensitive teeth, causing sudden and extreme pain. Tomatoes, citrus fruits, and sugar all contain a lot of acids. Juice and soda are also dangerous choices.

Stop whitening treatments

Treatments for whitening your teeth can cause damage and lead to higher levels of sensitivity. This is particularly true of treatments that include bleach. Stop or limit your whitening treatments, and you may get relief.

Brush softly

Brushing aggressively can make teeth vulnerable to sensitivity. You can brush your teeth gently and still get them clean. Use a brush with soft bristles and avoid scrubbing your teeth.

Try turmeric

Rub dried turmeric into your gums to decrease inflammation. You can also add this spice to your food for anti-inflammation throughout your body.

Wear a dental guard

Grinding your teeth weakens them and leaves them open to sensitivity. Try to avoid clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth during the day. At night, wear a dental guard to protect them.

See your dentist

Dental professionals will be able to guide you in the right direction when it comes to fighting the cause of your sensitivity. Sometimes sensitive teeth require a dental procedure like a cap or root canal to fix the problem.

Many people experience sensitive teeth, and the results are often painful. Try these tips for handling tooth sensitivity, and you might find yourself smiling more often.

Looking for a high rated dentist, contact Dr. Paul Feldman at Suburban Essex Dental in West Orange, NJ, in Essex County. For the past eight years, New Jersey Monthly has voted Dr. Feldman one of the top dentists in the state of New Jersey.