Sensitive Teeth: Common Causes, Symptoms and Care

Are sensitive teeth disrupting your daily life? Do you often feel pain or discomfort when eating or drinking? 

Tooth sensitivity to cold and heat starts and stops suddenly and is usually triggered by extreme temperatures in food, beverages, or the air. Tooth sensitivity is a common problem among adults. However there are simple and effective treatments that can help restore your daily activities and reduce your discomfort. 

 
 

Common Causes for Tooth Sensitivity

There are several common causes for oral sensitivity: 

  • Damaged or worn tooth enamel

  • Holes or small cracks in your teeth

  • Changing weather puts pressure on your sinuses, leading to pain at your gum line.

If you are suffering from tooth sensitivity, you have options to help manage your pain. Here are 5 tips to help alleviate your tooth sensitivity and provide the proper care needed to experience relief.

5 Tips to Help Alleviate Tooth Sensitivity

Desensitizing Toothpaste

A desensitizing toothpaste offers one of the simplest options for relief. Compared to regular toothpaste, desensitizing formulas contain additives like potassium nitrate and stannous fluoride. Stannous Fluoride, or Tn(II) Fluoride, is a compound commonly used in toothpastes for the prevention of gingivitis, dental infections, cavities, and to relieve dental hypersensitivity. (source)

Use desensitizing toothpaste in place of your regular toothpaste formula and brush twice a day as usual. You may not notice a difference until after a few applications. If the switch does not help alleviate your pain after a few weeks of use, you may need to speak with your dentist about alternative methods for addressing tooth sensitivity.

Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

When choosing a toothbrush, avoid medium, hard or stiff bristles. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles that are gentle on your teeth and gums. Choosing a toothbrush with a small head will also allow you to brush hard to reach places and to spend more time in each quadrant of your mouth. 

Look for a toothbrush especially made for massaging the gums. Soft bristle toothbrushes are designed to minimize irritation and are gentle for brushing and removing plaque on the gumline. Massaging the gums as you brush will help to promote blood flow and reduce inflammation. 

Mouth Rinse

Another tip for managing pain from tooth sensitivity is to use a mouth rinse once or twice a day. There are several options that you can use and they each help alleviate oral pain. 

Other benefits to using a mouth rinse are:

  • Fresh breath

  • Reduce inflammation

  • Act as an antiseptic to prevent oral infection

Saltwater Mouthwash - gargle with a warm saltwater solution at least twice a day. Combine 8 ounces of warm water with 1 teaspoon of table salt. Gargle and swish around your mouth for 30 seconds. 

Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse - Another mouth rinse that may help alleviate tooth sensitivity - mix two parts warm water with one part 3% concentration hydrogen peroxide. Using this percentage is important, anything stronger could cause damage. Gargle the solution for 30 seconds, then expel. Rinse your mouth with fresh water to remove any excess hydrogen peroxide.  Be careful not to swallow any of the rinse. 

Avoid Acidic Foods and Drinks

One way to prevent or help treat sensitive teeth is to avoid acidic ingredients that are found in many everyday foods and drinks. Acidic ingredients wear down the tooth's enamel, which is a cause for tooth sensitivity. 

Here is a list of common foods and drinks that contain acidic ingredients:

  • Coffee

  • Citrus fruits

  • Carbonated beverages

  • Tomatoes

  • Fruit Juice

Practice moderation when enjoying foods and beverages that contain acidic ingredients and rinse your mouth with water after finishing your meal to help remove the acid from your teeth. 

Talk to Your Dentist

Share your concerns and oral pain with your dentist. Drs. James and Samantha Tejada at Woodsprings Dentistry can help to assess your level of sensitivity and recommend the best options for treatment. 

Serving patients in The Woodlands and Spring, TX, our dentists can assess your gums for any swelling or infection that may be causing your sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is one symptom of periodontal disease. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause chronic mouth pain, difficulty chewing and tooth loss. 

The dentist may also recommend dental varnishes or coating. These products add a layer of protection to your tooth enamel, helping to alleviate sensitivity symptoms and preventing future problems. 

Schedule a Dental Appointment at WoodSprings Dentistry

Persistent tooth sensitivity is not impossible to manage. The best things you can do for your oral health are to establish a proper hygiene routine and schedule regular checkups with your dentist. Schedule an appointment at our dental office today to help manage your tooth pain and prevent future problems.  

Joelle Allen