Oral Health Problems : Tooth Sensitivity

How often do you feel sharp electric shock-like pain when you eat or drink something hot or cold? Tooth sensitivity is one of the common dental problems that anyone can come across. It can start at any time and can affect people of all age groups. Even when you breathe in cold air that can be enough to initiate it.

The only way you enjoy a pain-free smile is to understand the cause of tooth sensitivity and its prevention and management.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is caused by many factors. Most people experience sensitivity due to receding gums exposing tooth roots. Sometimes a tooth becomes sensitive as a result of the worn tooth surface (enamel) and exposing the inner sensitive part (dentine). The tooth surface can be worn by using vigorous brushing techniques, over brushing, teeth grinding, and high acid diets. Tooth sensitivity can also be due to the carious cavity, failing dental restorations (fillings or crowns), and cracked or chipped teeth. Teeth whitening can cause teeth sensitivity but this is for a short period.

How to Prevent Tooth Sensitivity

There are certain measures you can take to avoid this frustrating pain.

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Use proper technique, don’t brush your teeth harshly.
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove the plaque or any impacted food particle especially between the teeth where bristles of your brush can not reach.
• Reduce the consumption of sugary or acidic foods and drinks.
• If you have good oral hygiene visit your dentist every 5 to 6 months or more regularly if you have more dental problems.

How to Treat Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth Sensitivity Can Be Treated In Several Ways:

• If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity you can use sensitivity toothpaste and mouth wash. It will help you to reduce the pain. If you don’t feel any relief or see any improvement after 10 to 14 days then we advise you to visit your dentist.
• You can ask your dentist about the proper brushing technique and how to use dental floss.
• If your gums are receding due to the accumulation of plaque and tartar (calculus) it is better to get it cleaned by your dentist.
• If there is carious cavitation or chipped tooth, you can get it restored by your dentist.

• If you grind your teeth your dentist can provide you with the mouth guard.
• It is better to avoid sugary or acidic drinks because it can wear down your tooth surface. But if you want to have them, use a straw so that it bypasses your teeth. Don’t hold them in your mouth for too long or swish them around your mouth. After having them, just rinse your mouth with plain water to balance it out.

3 Tips Before Choosing Your Toothbrush

We teach you how to prevent the loss of your teeth, maintain healthy gums and achieve a beautiful smile. What is the key to achieving it? Choose a good toothbrush.

A toothbrush is not only the accessory we use to clean our teeth and gums, but it is essential to achieve a healthy mouth, avoid periodontal disease and tooth loss.

But there are different types, sizes, shapes and hardness of toothbrushes, so today we will talk about the essential characteristics that you must take into account the next time you choose your toothbrush.

Soft or hard toothbrush, which one cleans teeth better?

Without a doubt, the accumulation of bacterial plaque is the great enemy of our mouth, but this leads us to think that a hard toothbrush can better clean our teeth and eliminate plaque and dental tartar. But did you know that it can become your great enemy?

The toothbrush with hard filaments will destroy your gums, causing them to recede, that is, your gums will lower and expose the root of the tooth. You should keep in mind that the gum does not grow back.

But not only that, but it can also cause other discomforts in your mouth such as: the wear of the enamel of your teeth, especially at the level of the necks, dental sensitivity, bleeding gums and even cavities. To achieve optimal health of the teeth and gums, it is best to choose a toothbrush with soft bristles in addition to using the correct brushing technique.

Small or large head toothbrush?

Of course: small head. Surely it has happened to us at some point, that it is difficult to clean the back of our mouth, especially the last tooth. Precisely for this purpose, our best ally from now on is the toothbrush with a small head. You will get to those hard-to-reach areas by removing plaque and not only that, but you will also avoid caries problems and gum inflammation.

The importance of the shape of the filaments of your toothbrush in your oral hygiene

It's not a myth: The shape of the toothbrush bristles is essential. On one side, you will find conical tip filaments and on the other, rounded filaments. Which to choose? Choose rounded filaments, it is the most effective way to take care of your gums, teeth and completely eliminate bacterial plaque.

And to finish, we review the 3 keys to good oral health:

1. Always brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

2. Make gentle movements with the bristles of the toothbrush, from the gum to the tooth, and accompany it with gentle massages on the gum to activate circulation in the area and prevent gingival retraction.

3. Always clean between your teeth. Use the tape or floss and interdental brush recommended by your hygienist.