If you have sensitive teeth, you know what a hassle it can be. Not only are they painful and annoying, but they can also make eating and drinking uncomfortable or even impossible at times. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help your sensitive teeth feel better. Here’s how:
1. Brush twice a day
Brushing your teeth twice daily is the most important part of caring for sensitive teeth. Experts recommend brushing for two minutes, but you can extend that time if necessary (or just do it all at once). Brush in small circular motions and focus on cleaning each tooth individually, including the gum line.
At Church St Dental, we also advise you to use fluoride toothpaste that’s designed for sensitive teeth to reduce sensitivity further and help prevent future problems with cavities or decay. Unless otherwise directed by your dentist, it’s best to avoid whitening products since they often contain harsh chemicals that can irritate sensitive gums even more than normal brushing does.
Finally, flossing will help remove bacteria between your teeth where regular brushing can’t reach–and this helps prevent cavities from forming there! Flossing also reduces plaque accumulation which helps keep gum disease away too!
2. Floss once a day
Flossing is one of the best ways to remove plaque from between your teeth. You can use a regular dental floss, but if it’s hard for you to reach your back teeth or get in between them, try using a threader or pick instead.
Flossing should be done once a day at night before bedtime so that food debris doesn’t build up overnight and cause further tooth damage.
3. Use a sports mouth guard
When you are participating in a sport that can put your mouth at risk for injury, it’s important to wear a mouth guard. Mouth guards can help protect your teeth from breaking or chipping if they come into contact with another player or object.
Mouth guards are available in different sizes and materials, and they should be made by a dentist who understands how they fit together with your unique facial structure. They also come in different colors, so you can choose one that matches your personality!
If you play sports regularly–or even just occasionally–we recommend getting fitted for a custom-made sports guard at our office as soon as possible. This way, when the next game comes around (or even just an intense pickup basketball game), no one will ever know that their best friend’s favorite thing about them is their smile.
4. Don’t eat too much sugar
- Sugar can cause tooth decay, cavities and sensitivity. If you’re prone to sensitive teeth, you should be especially careful with sugar because it can damage your enamel and make your teeth even more sensitive.
- Sugar can cause bad breath. If you have sensitive teeth and eat too much sugar or sugary foods (like candy), they’ll start to smell bad!
If you want to keep your pearly whites happy and healthy for life, try cutting back on the sweets as much as possible–and always brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste!
5. Don’t drink too much soda
If you have sensitive teeth, it’s best to avoid drinking soda. Soda is very acidic and can erode the enamel on your teeth. If you’re drinking soda anyway, try rinsing with water after drinking it to neutralize some of the acidity in your mouth. You may also want to consider switching from regular soda to diet–although this won’t help with tooth sensitivity directly, it will reduce how much sugar gets stuck between your teeth after each sip.
6. Visit the dentist regularly
If you have sensitive teeth, it’s important to visit the dentist regularly. Your orthodontist can give you advice on how to reduce your sensitivity. Look for any signs of decay or infection that may need treatment. Especially when you have braces to straighten your teeth.
7. Avoid acidic foods and drinksĀ
Know the signs of acidic foods
If a food has a pH level below 7, it’s likely to be acidic. (The lower a substance’s pH is, the more acidic it is.) Acidic foods include citrus fruits (such as oranges), tomatoes, vinegar-based salad dressings, and pickles.
Avoid eating or drinking these types of things if you have sensitive teeth
If you’re worried about your sensitivity levels rising too high due to eating certain foods or beverages regularly, it may be wise to avoid them altogether until your symptoms subside–or at least limit yourself to only one serving per day until then!
Don’t forget about gum disease
It’s also important to pay attention to what kind of toothpaste you use and brush carefully after meals. So that plaque doesn’t build up on your teeth over time.
8. Don’t eat or drink very hot or cold foods and beverages
Avoid eating or drinking anything that is too hot or too cold. If you do, the temperature change can cause your teeth to become sensitive again.
Don’t chew on ice cubes. This can also make your teeth hurt because of the sudden temperature change in your mouth. (the ice will feel really cold when it hits your sensitive gums).
9. Be careful about whitening toothpaste
If you have sensitive teeth, it’s important to be careful about whitening toothpaste or other whitening products that contain peroxide. While these products may help remove stains on your teeth and give them a brighter appearance. They can also cause sensitivity by damaging the enamel (the outer layer of your tooth).
Peroxide is not recommended for people with sensitive teeth. Because it can bleach the surface of their teeth and cause irritation in their gums.
You can make a big difference in how your sensitive teeth feel by taking care of them at home. We’re always happy to help out with any issues related to teeth or gums.