Sensitive Teeth: 5 Best Tips To Prevent And Relieve Them

It’s always the same thing. When you eat ice cream or crunch an acidic food, you experience a shiver and a searing pain in your teeth and/or gums? This is called dental sensitivity or dentin hypersensitivity (sensitive teeth). And you can even feel it when the brush brushes against your teeth. A daily ordeal that fortunately it is possible to alleviate. Because many of you are victims of this condition, the editorial staff has decided to offer you 5 tips to prevent and relieve your sensitive teeth.

Dentin hypersensitivity ( sensitive teeth): what causes it?

As you know, before solving a problem, it is necessary to know the causes. Generally, the syndrome of sensitive teeth is due to an alteration of the enamel or the gum. The dentin (2nd layer of the tooth) is no longer well protected against external aggressions. When it is in contact with a cold, acidic, or too hot food, the dental tubuli let the passage to the nerve endings which are activated.

The pain is sharp and instantaneous. Scientists agree to isolate some (probable) causes of this exposure of the dentin:

• Consumption of too many acidic products (citrus fruits, sodas, fruit juices…)
• Brushing your teeth too aggressively or using a brush with too-hard bristles. Note: no more than 3 brushings per day
• Bad reflexes like biting your nails. Or involuntary like bruxism (upper teeth rubbing against the lower ones during the night and in an uncontrolled way)
• Bad position of the teeth (must be corrected early by an orthodontist)
• Any medical dental procedure (scaling, polishing, brightening, treatment of a cavity, placement of an appliance, or dental surgery)
• Presence of a cavity

How to protect and soothe gum and tooth pain?

Well, you’ll have to change your habits a bit…

1 – Choosing the right toothpaste

This is the most important step. You will have to learn how to choose a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. You need a product with 2 main actions: to strengthen the enamel and to relieve the sensitivity. Active ingredients can obstruct the tubules and thus, strongly reduce the nervous reactions that cause pain. On the other hand, agents will remineralize the enamel and, in essence, strengthen it durably. Ask your dentist or pharmacist for advice.

2 – Change your diet

We can never repeat it enough: health starts with your plate! Therefore, in the case of sensitive teeth, you will have to avoid certain foods such as sodas (with or without sugar), vinegar, fruit juices, wine, or tomatoes.

The more you eat/drink them, the more acid attacks on your teeth will multiply. And if you eat them, wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. Enamel is “softened” when you chew. Brushing over it will only weaken it.

3 – Opt for an adapted brush and tooth brushing

As we said in the introduction: no more than 3 toothbrushes a day! Be gentle with your teeth and gums and choose a toothbrush with soft or ultra-soft bristles. Adapt your brushing and above all, don’t press too hard. Brushing will not be more effective!

4 – Watch your mouth

This is important for everyone, regardless of their oral situation, and people with dentures or braces, in particular, must be particularly vigilant. Make sure you visit your dentist regularly, at least once a year, so that he/she can check that everything is fine (and make an appointment without delay if you feel discomfort or pain).

5 – Be impeccable about your oral hygiene

Last but not least. Our daily oral hygiene allows us to guarantee the good health of our teeth and gums and prevents possible inconveniences (accumulation of dental plaque, tartar, cavities, gingivitis…).

The steps to follow are simple and effective:

1. Twice a day (morning and evening) or after each meal: brush your teeth with a soft brush for two minutes and then spit out the toothpaste.

2. In addition, floss or use an interdental brush to remove plaque and dislodge any remaining food residue. You can then make a mouthwash specifically for sensitive teeth.

3. Finally, don’t hesitate to have a scaling once or twice a year at your dentist’s office according to your needs to preserve the health of your teeth and gums.

Thanks to these valuable tips, your teeth should no longer be (as) sensitive!

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