5 Ways to Prevent Tooth Sensitivity

1. Use proper tooth brushing techniques and use toothpaste for tooth sensitivity

The first step in preventing tooth sensitivity is proper brushing of teeth. Too much pressure when brushing or brushing immediately after eating acidic meals can cause the protective layer on your teeth—called enamel—to be worn away. The thinner your enamel gets, the more sensitivity you will experience.

Rugged, rough, or very old brushes can also erode the enamel of your teeth, exposing the inner dentin and making your teeth hypersensitive. Thus brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush can prevent gum disease and remove plaque and food particles from your teeth.

Proper toothpaste significantly reduces dental problems, including sensitive teeth. Sensitivity toothpaste can offer relief if you experience tooth sensitivity. Numerous kinds of toothpaste on the market are designed especially for tooth sensitivity. It may take up to a month of consistent use to feel the effects, so don't quit using it if it doesn't start working right away.

2. Avoid acidic or sugary items

Along with dental hygiene and care, avoiding a few food and drinks can significantly affect tooth sensitivity. Sweets and acidic stuff are at the top of this list. For example, all sweets, including gummies, candies, and sour candies, increase dental sensitivity. In addition, the high sugar content of practically all candies makes them some of the worst things you can eat for your teeth because they induce tooth decay.

Even drinks that are supposed to be healthier, such as juices and sports drinks, contain a lot of sugar and acid. This doesn't mean you can't have electrolyte-rich sports drinks, juice, or sweets, but you should follow good dental hygiene and pay attention to your overall dietary choices to protect your teeth against acidic and sugary foods. Rinse regularly with mouthwash to guard your teeth against the effects of sugar. Using mouthwash can strengthen your teeth's enamel layer and help you with dental problems. That’s why it’s important to remember to rinse with mouthwash each day after brushing your teeth.

3. Bite down on a nightguard

Teeth grinding or bruxism during the night might be the reason for sensitive teeth. Like rough brushing, grinding your teeth weakens your natural defenses against tooth sensitivity and damages your enamel. If teeth grinding bothers you, Dr. George Orfaly of Fisher and Orfaly Dental, Salem, MA, can provide a customized nightguard to wear while you sleep using molds of your teeth. This guard shields teeth from pressure and damage that might result from nightly teeth grinding.

4. Maintain good dental hygiene

Although there are many solutions to fix tooth sensitivity, most dental problems can be solved by following good dental hygiene and care.

These include:

• Brush and rinse regularly: Brush twice daily after breakfast and dinner, and rinse your teeth if you have a late-night snack. Your mouth is filled with sugar and bacteria from cookies and ice cream, and sleeping for seven to eight hours without brushing or rinsing encourages bacteria to grow and spread.
• Brushing in the right way: Use a brush with delicate bristles at a 45-degree angle, starting at your gum line. Gently brush your molars from top to bottom, inside and out, and thoroughly clean the area surrounding your teeth. Spend at least two minutes per session brushing.
• Choose the right brush for your teeth: Manual or electric, head size, bristle and handle types, and of course, color! There are several options available when picking a toothbrush. It is generally advised to use brushes with small to medium-sized heads and soft bristles.
• Look for the ADA seal: Select a toothpaste with the ADA seal and fluoride content to ensure that it is safe and effective. This will help you combat plaque and guard against tooth decay.
• Don't forget about floss: Flossing is a very important part of maintaining good dental hygiene. Before sliding the floss between your teeth, ensure it is tightly coiled between your thumb and index finger. Use clean floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
• Take care of your brush: After brushing, rinse your toothbrush and let it air dry. Do not share or cover it to avoid germ breeding and the spread of bacteria. Change your toothbrush every three to four months or after you've recovered from an illness.

5. Visit your dentist regularly

Several factors add up to tooth sensitivity. For example, it can be brought on by having braces, eating foods high in acid, brushing too vigorously, or using whitening chemicals. In addition, teeth sensitivity increases with both hot and cold food items.

In addition to the above-given causes, other factors can affect your dental health. Sensitive teeth can be due to the following factors:

• Decayed teeth
• Tooth cavities
• Fractured teeth
• Worn-out fillings
• Gum disorders
• Damaged tooth enamel
• The exposed root of the tooth

Some folks are just born with sensitive teeth. But, no matter what the cause is, following regular dental hygiene and care, a regular visit to your dentist, and early treatment can lessen your tooth sensitivity.

You might need treatment at the dental clinic if you have tooth sensitivity with unbearable pain. Dental bonding, crowns,  fluoride treatments, and nightguards are available at Fisher and Orfaly Dental, Salem, MA, to cover teeth sensitivity. Dr. Orfaly may advise treatment for a root canal in severe cases with severe pain. However, these are the last options if nothing else works.

If you suffer from persistent and troublesome tooth sensitivity, book a consultation with Dr. George Orfaly of Fisher and Orfaly Dental, Salem, MA. He can help diagnose the problem and provide solutions to get your smile back on track.