If you pass on hot or cold drinks because you know
they’ll make your teeth hurt, it may be time to talk to your dentist about the
possibility that you have sensitive teeth.
Sometimes other things can aggravate them, too,
like sweet and sour foods or even cold air.
To be able to treat these tooth twinges, it helps
to know what might be behind them. Once you’ve nailed down the cause, you can
find a solution.
Take Care of Your Tooth Enamel
That’s a hard, protective layer that helps your
teeth deal with everything you put them through. When it’s gone, nerve endings
that cause pain are exposed.
If you have sensitive teeth, it’s possible some of
your enamel has worn away.
To prevent or put the brakes on that damage:
Don’t brush too hard.
Do you clean your teeth with a heavy hand? You might be taking off more than
just plaque. Side-to-side brushing right at the gum line can make your enamel
go away faster. You should use a soft-bristled brush and work at a 45-degree
angle to your gum to keep enamel clean and strong.
Avoid acidic foods and
drinks. Soda, sticky candy, high-sugar carbs — all of
these treats attack enamel. Instead, snack on:
- Fiber-rich
fruits and vegetables
- Cheese
- Milk
- Plain
yogurt
These will moisten your mouth and help fight acid
and bacteria that can eat away at your teeth. Saliva is one way your mouth
deals with them.
You can also drink green or black tea or chew
sugarless gum. If you do eat something acidic, don’t rush to brush. Wait an
hour or so to strengthen before you scrub.
Unclench your teeth.
Over time, teeth grinding wears away your enamel. Sometimes, addressing your stress
can stop the problem. If that doesn’t work, your dentist can fit you for a
splint or a mouth guard.
If the problem is severe, you may need dental work
to change your teeth’s position, or a muscle relaxant.
Take a break from
bleaching. The quest for pearly whites may cause your pain.
Thankfully, sensitivity from bleaching is usually temporary. Talk to your
dentist about how the treatment might be affecting you, and whether you should
continue it.
Get to the Root of the Problem
Sometimes, tooth sensitivity
can be a sign of other issues, like:
Naturally shrinking gums. If you’re over 40, it could be that
your gums are showing signs of wear and tear by pulling away from your teeth
and uncovering your tooth roots. Those roots don’t have enamel to protect them,
so they’re much more sensitive than the rest of your tooth.
Tell your dentist if your
gums look like they’re receding. It can be a sign of other problems, like gum
disease. Serious cases may need a gum graft. That moves tissue from somewhere
else to cover the bare area.
Gum disease. Plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth can make your
gums pull back. Sometimes, disease can set in. It can destroy the bony support
of your tooth. Don’t smoke. It can lead to gum disease. To treat it, your
dentist may do a deep clean of your teeth, called planing or scaling, that
scrapes tartar and plaque below the gum line. You could also need medication or
surgery to fix the problem.
A cracked tooth or
filling: When you break a tooth, the crack can go all the
way down to your root. You’ll notice pain when your tooth is cold. How your
dentist fixes the crack depends on how deep it goes. If it’s a small crack that
ends before your gums start, your dentist can fill it. If it’s below your gum
line, your tooth will have to be pulled.
Treatment
Once you’ve found the problem, there are things
your dentist can use to help ease your pain, including:
- Toothpaste
for sensitive teeth
- Fluoride
gel
- Fillings
that cover exposed roots
- Sealants
- Desensitizing
pastes (not used with a toothbrush) you can get from your dentist
- Mouthguard
to protect teeth if you grind
If your case is serious, your dentist might suggest
a root canal.
It’s also important not to shy away from dental
care because of tooth pain. Ignoring your teeth can make things worse. Brush
and floss twice a day to help keep your smile bright and pain-free. And see
your dentist for a checkup twice a year.