Ending Tooth Sensitivity
About a third of adults suffer from sensitive teeth. This ‘sensitivity’ can be more than a nuisance. At times it can produce outright pain. You might grab a candy bar, or ice cream, or glass of orange juice, and, ouch, a throbbing pain starts in your tooth and continues for minutes. As we age, little by little, the roots of the teeth become visible due to wearing away of the gums. Once the roots begin to show, they become prone to sensitivity. Use of abrasive (‘sandy’) toothpastes and vigorous toothbrushing also contributes to receding gums and increased discomfort in the roots. Which teeth are prone to sensitivity? The answer is, any tooth. Often the pointy teeth in the front (known as canines), and the upper, back molars (the big teeth in the back) are common problems.
How can I avoid this problem or at least prevent it from getting worse?
Use a soft toothbrush! There will be far less sensitivity, and as a bonus….soft toothbrushes clean better then stiff brushes.
Take it easy when brushing. Use gentle strokes when brushing. Place the brush on the gums and brush up onto the teeth for great results. Do not scrub the teeth. Vigorous brushing damages the gums and exposes the roots to sensitivity.
Avoid acidic drinks and foods such as soda, sports drinks, orange juice, and citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit, lemon, limes). You need not avoid these drinks and foods altogether, simply use them sparingly, and best of all use them as part of a meal.
Avoid overuse of tooth whitening products. These products can be applied with care even when you have sensitivity. Check the link below.
Toothpastes that are abrasive (containing ‘tiny, rough particles like sand’) help to reduce surface stains, however, they worsen sensitivity. If you prefer to use a 'high abrasive' toothpaste due to surface stains, then brush extra gently and every couple of days switch off to a low abrasive toothpaste. (Check the brands below)
Avoid citrus fruits and orange juice.
Here are some of the toothpastes that are low in abrasiveness and may help to prevent tooth sensitivity. These are : Colgate 2-in-1 fresh mint, Arm and Hammer Advanced White Sensitive, Colgate Total, Colgate Regular, Rembrandt Mint, Arm and Hammer Peroxicare Tarter Control.
Here are the toothpastes that have higher levels of abrasives in them and make you more prone to root sensitivity. This does NOT make them undesirable to you. In fact, due to the high levels of abrasives they will be more effective in eliminating surface stains. If you don’t have sensitivity and are concerned about surface stains (as opposed to internal stains such as from tetracycline staining), then use these products. If you are starting to feel root sensitivity, however, then you might consider switching to the lower abrasive toothpastes listed above. The higher level abrasive toothpastes are: Arm and Hammer Sensation, Sensodyne Extra Whitening, Colgate Platinum, Aquafresh Whitening, Ultra Brite Advanced Whitening Formula and Colgate Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening
The dentist is cleaning above the canine where just a tiny bit of root is showing. If this root becomes sensitive then a fluoride treatment in the dental office can help relieve the discomfort.
Treatments for root sensitivity generally work by painting the roots of the teeth to prevent liquids and acids from entering into the root.
Sensitivity treatment is done by either placing a white filling over the root, by painting liquid resins (which are clear liquid sealants) onto the root, by rubbing fluoride onto the root, or by using toothpastes such as Sensodyne or Prevident. My personal experience shows great patient satisfaction with fluoride applied to the sensitive root right in the dental office. You might want to ask your dentist about this since fluoride treatments are easy and less expensive than some of the other options.
Certain rinses such as Listerine Total contain fluoride and may also lessen sensitivity.
If your sensitivity is so severe that you can't stand it any more, and, no treatment has been successful, then a root canal treatment may be necessary. Painful root sensitivity can be a sign of a permanently damaged nerve in the root and a sign that only a root canal will be effective.