Have you ever experienced a tingling feeling, pain, or discomfort after eating something acidic, cold, or hot? If so, you are not alone. Teeth sensitivity is precisely what it sounds like, having discomfort in your teeth. It can be mild or severe, and you can treat the mild ones with over-the-counter medications.
Teeth sensitivity can occur in a single tooth, multiple teeth, or whole teeth in a single person. Causes include gum disease, acidic food, grinding the teeth, forceful brushing, tooth decay, and more. The symptoms manifest as pain or discomfort when you eat or drink cold, hot, and acidic substances.
While teeth sensitivity might temporarily prevent you from enjoying your cold beverages in the hot summer, take solace in the knowledge that over 40 million people in the United States experience teeth sensitivity in some way.
While tooth sensitivity can be temporary or chronic, there are ways to manage the symptoms to reduce pain and discomfort.
How to Manage Teeth Sensitivity
We are not programmed to be in discomfort or pain. Therefore, there are ways to combat these symptoms and the underlying disease. Below are ways to manage your teeth sensitivity and soothe symptoms.
- Over the Counter Medication
As teeth sensitivity symptoms range from mild to severe or chronic, the mild one can be treated with over-the-counter medication. You can take medication that reduces pain, discomfort, and other symptoms. It will make the sensitivity manageable till it goes away, which happens in less than a week. To get medications, you can order from an online dental shop, and you will have your delivery in no time.
- Dietary Changes
Certain foods reduce the teeth’ enamel, resulting in sensitivity to cold or hot food. Acidic food is especially notorious for causing teeth sensitivity and is usually present in citrus fruits and beverages. Therefore you might have to adjust and avoid ingesting acidic food or drink or any others that can cause your enamel to wear out.
- Wearing a Mouth Guard
Grinding your teeth, especially while asleep, can wear out the enamel exposing the dentin. To stop grinding your teeth, you must first make the conscious decision not to do it again. However, it might take some time to rid yourself of the habit of grinding and clenching your teeth. In the meantime, consult your doctor about using a mouth guard. With the mouth guard in your mouth, it will prevent you from accidentally clenching your teeth.
- Brushing Gently
Already you can’t help but brush gently when your teeth are sensitive. However, this has a double benefit; it also preserves your enamel. It would help if you did this every day, not only when your teeth are sensitive, to preserve your enamel for a long time. To brush your teeth, sweep the brush gently over your teeth in a circular motion or an up-and-down motion. This dentist who does oral surgery in Queen Creek AZ also adds that using a soft-bristled toothbrush can also help.
Other ways to manage your sensitive teeth include
- Watch the materials you use in your dental care (toothpaste, brush e., t. c.)
- Drink more water
- Quit smoking
- Use antiseptic mouthwash
Your teeth are a part of you, and if there is any discomfort or pain, it affects you. To take that cold mocha you crave during summer, you must learn to manage your teeth’ sensitivity. To manage it, you should avoid acidic food, clenching your teeth, and take over-the-counter medication for the pain. In no time, your mouth will be jumping from cold to hot drink happily, with no pain but the pleasure of the taste.