How to Reduce Teeth Sensitivity

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Do you suffer from sensitive teeth? Do you hesitate to bite into a cool, tasty treat? Do you know why you might have sensitive teeth or that there are ways you can reduce your sensitivity?

 

Gum disease and a damaged or chipped tooth are some of the more common causes of sensitive teeth. If you suffer from gum disease, your gums may peel from your teeth and expose your roots. If your tooth is damaged or cracked, your roots will similarly be exposed. This allows bacteria to grow into the roots and causes increased sensitivity. We may recommend a dental bonding or fluoride treatment to cover your exposed roots.

 

Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) is another reason you may have sensitive teeth. If you suffer from bruxism, you could grind your teeth and expose the dentin (the bony tissue that forms the majority of a tooth under the enamel). Dentin is particularly sensitive to cold. To help you deal with this temperature sensitivity, our dentist could create a custom night guard that will help you sleep comfortably by preventing grinding. This will protect your mouth from future sensitivity. We may also recommend a dentin sealer to protect your smile.

 

Some foods and drinks can also lead to sensitivity—especially when the food and drink is highly acidic. If your teeth are exposed to enough acid for a long enough time, your tooth structure and enamel can be damaged. Some of the more common acidic foods and drinks include soda, sports drinks, vitamin water, citrus fruits, and pickles. If you are interested in improving your smile’s sensitivity to temperature, we recommend that you not brush your teeth for at least a half-hour after you finish this type of food and drink.

 

If you’ve had a crown, filling, or any other type of restoration placed recently, it is common for sensitivity to follow. This sensitivity can last for several days, but if it does not fade, we recommend visiting our office.

 

If you would like any more information on how to alleviate sensitive teeth, please feel free to contact us.