5 Home remedies to help you reduce sensitivity.
Your teeth are meant to be some of the strongest bones in your body. Capable of inflicting and sustaining constant force to chew food and maintain mouth structure, your teeth are meant to feel strong and invisible in your mouth. Despite this ideal, many people are afraid to eat something too hot, too cold or too hard.
Many people experience consistent irritation in their teeth, but few know what causes it and how they can rid themselves of sensitivity, irritation and pain.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
The feeling of sensitivity is caused by exposed nerves in our teeth. While our teeth are mostly made of calcium, they are filled with small yellow nerves called dentin. You don’t see your dentin because they rest under the white surface layer of our teeth called enamel.
In a healthy mouth these nerves stay covered by protective enamel, however, when the enamel is worn away, the dentin is exposed and becomes highly sensitive to anything it meets.
In extreme scenarios this can make simple tasks like eating incredibly painful.
What leads to tooth sensitivity?
The most common way tooth sensitivity arises is from ingesting very acidic or sugary food and drinks. The acid from an orange or any citrus drink will breakdown and dissolve any enamel it comes in contact with. This happens on a microscopic scale so it is hardly noticeable, but it can quickly accumulate can cause sensitivity when it burrows too deep.
How to beat tooth sensitivity
It is always a good idea to brush your teeth after eating or drinking sugary and acidic food, you remove the acid from your teeth and kill the bacteria creating more through their waste.
Flossing is key to preventing build-up of bacteria in places your tooth brush can’t reach.
These are good ways to prevent sensitivity from setting in, but once have sensitivity more significant steps are needed.
Here are 5 home remedies to help control the pain, but you should follow upo with your dentist as soon as possible
1. Desensitizing Toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Desensitizing toothpaste help shield nerve endings from irritants. After a few uses, your sensitivity will reduce. We also recommend using a soft-bristle toothbrush when brushing your teeth.
2. Salt water rinse
Salt is an effective antiseptic and it can also help to reduce inflammation. To alleviate pain symptoms from sensitive teeth, gargle with a salt water rinse twice a day.
Mix ½ tbsp of salt into a glass of lukewarm water, then swish the solution in your mouth for 30 seconds
3. Honey and warm water
Honey is an antibacterial agent and can be used for managing your pain. Honey can help to speed up healing time, reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.
4. Turmeric
In addition to cooking, turmeric can be used as an anti-inflammatory treatment. Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory effects
Mix 1 tsp turmeric, ½ tbsp salt, and ½ tsp mustard oil together. Apply this paste with a soft toothbrush or a Q-tip to the teeth and gums twice a day.
5. Green tea
Green tea is another product known for its health benefits and anti-inflammatory properties. Use unsweetened green tea as a mouthwash to strengthen teeth, reduce inflammation, and control the pain. Use this in moderation as it may discolor your teeth over time.
What is important to remember about sensitive teeth
Enamel doesn’t grow back so it’s important to see the dentist as soon as you feel sensitivity set in. Regular dental appointments are just as important as doctor appointments, if you are letting a pain or sensitivity in your mouth get in the way of enjoying life then now is the time to fix it.
Your dentist in Etobicoke can remove plaque, provide a filling for a cavity, prescribe desensitizing toothpaste or recommend other solutions to help with your sensitivity.