Monday, July 18, 2011

Do Your Sensitive Teeth Cause You Problems?


If you suffer from sensitive teeth, this can be a very painful problem. It is always advisable to see a dentist to determine the reason you have painful or sensitive teeth. There are many reasons this may occur. You may be one of the individuals that genetically have weaker enamel. Gum recession causing the dentin of your tooth to show can be another reason for sensitive teeth. Cavities and age are also factors in tooth sensitivity. 

Toothpastes such as Sensodyne, and Pronamel Sensitive are two toothpastes that can help with sensitive teeth. Both of these pastes plug up little tubes that naturally occur in your teeth. You will need to continue using these toothpastes for as long as you don’t want sensitivity. Many dentists recommend staying away from whitening toothpaste and hydrogen peroxide whitening as these can increase tooth sensitivity. 

When you choose a toothbrush,  make sure to choose a soft or ultra soft bristle toothbrush. Harder bristled toothbrushes can wear down gum tissues exposing the dentin of the root. The tops or the enamel of our teeth are very hard.  Dentin is much softer in comparison. Brushing dentin too hard, can wear it down over time causing sensitivity. 

Proper brushing can help to decrease the likelihood of tooth sensitivity. Make sure to brush your teeth with the bristles of the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth. Small circular motions are favorable to back and forth motions. Circular motions reduce the damage to your gums and to the dentin. Electric toothbrushes can be a great option for you. 


Remember to avoid mouthwashes with high alcohol. Alcohol in mouthwash dries out your mouth and can damage soft tissues over time.  Flossing is definitely a must also. When it comes to flossing, just do it.  It doesn’t matter if you used waxed or unwaxed floss. 


It is very important to keep our teeth healthy and tooth sensitivity should be looked at seriously by a dental care professional. Some problems must be addressed specifically by a dental professional, and can’t be fixed with toothpaste change.

No comments:

Post a Comment