Living with sensitive teeth can be a real struggle. You may have had to give up chocolate or having icing on your cake. You may have to go to extra lengths to make sure your coffee isn’t too hot and your water is room temperature before you drink it. Though these may seem like a minor inconveniences, all of those little accommodations add up and it can feel like your whole life revolves around avoiding pain caused by having sensitive teeth. Thankfully, there are ways of treating your sensitive teeth that will dramatically improve your daily life.
What have I done?
Though some people are more prone to sensitive teeth, anyone can develop them. Having sensitive teeth means that the outer, protective layers of your teeth have been worn away. The sensitivity is usually caused by highly acidic beverages or food that your teeth have been exposed to over long periods of time. Sensitivity can also be caused by whitening products, certain kinds of mouthwash, and toothbrushes with exceedingly stiff bristles. Gum disease and tooth decay also have links to sensitive teeth. Do you chew on ice cubes? You may want to think about giving that up if you are afraid of developing sensitive teeth. Grinding your teeth either during the day or during the night can also wear away at the outer layers of your teeth. Whatever the cause, once you have them it is best to begin a treatment plan before minor pain becomes major.
What can I do?
There are lots of ways you can improve this condition both big and small. Some small ways you can decrease sensitivity are by giving up some of the more aggravating foods or beverages that caused the sensitivity in the first place such as spicy foods, extremely sugary foods, coffee, and soda. If you are a smoker it would be a good idea to quit as cigarette smoke causes lasting damage to your teeth and gums. There are special toothpastes on the market for this condition, but if your case is more severe you can talk to your dentist about prescription tooth paste. In the event of tooth grinding in the night, you can invest in a mouth guard.