How to Treat Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth are temporary pain when doing certain activities such as brushing teeth, eating and drinking cold or hot. The condition of sensitive teeth will certainly interfere with your activities. Then, how to treat sensitive teeth? You don't need to worry because this condition can be overcome by avoiding the cause. In addition, there are also some simple ways you can do to treat sensitive teeth.
Causes of Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth can occur because the protective layer of the tooth (dental enamel) is eroded and thinned so that the underlying layer, the dentin, becomes exposed and unprotected. This makes it easier for stimuli to enter the teeth to get to the nerves inside the teeth, causing sensitive teeth.
There are many things that cause your tooth enamel to erode so that your teeth become sensitive. The cause of sensitive teeth is generally due to the habits you do every day, whether you realize it or not.
1. Too often consume foods and drinks that are sour or sweet
Too often consuming foods and drinks that are sour or sweet can make tooth enamel become eroded and cause toothache. Some examples of acidic foods and drinks that can make your teeth more sensitive are lemons, oranges, iced tea or hot tea and soft drinks. Tooth enamel erosion can also occur if you eat too many sweet foods or drinks, such as candy, syrup, ice cream, caramel and chocolate. The rest of the sweet food that sticks to the surface of the teeth can be turned into acid by the bacteria in the mouth. Over time, these acids will damage tooth enamel.
2. Brushing your teeth too hard
Brushing your teeth too hard or using a toothbrush with coarse bristles can also cause sensitive teeth. This habit can damage tooth enamel and if prolonged can cause the sensitive inner layer of the tooth to open, causing pain.
3. Using mouthwash too often
Using mouthwash can indeed help maintain oral hygiene and health. However, if you use mouthwash that contains alcohol and other chemicals too often in the long term, it can actually make your teeth more sensitive. In addition, the use of teeth whitening products or toothpaste containing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can also make teeth more sensitive.
4. Have a habit of grinding teeth
The habit of grinding teeth can also cause tooth enamel to be eroded, so that the teeth become sensitive. Generally this habit is done unconsciously and can be caused by psychological problems.
5. Undergoing dental care
Sensitive teeth can occur after you undergo dental treatment. For example cleaning plaque and tartar, teeth whitening, tooth extraction, and installation of dental crowns. Some of these dental care measures can erode tooth enamel.
Usually, sensitive teeth problems due to dental treatment will heal on their own within 4 to 6 weeks. However, if the problem does not improve after 6 weeks, you need to see a dentist for further treatment.
Apart from being caused by some of the causes above, sensitive teeth can also occur due to dental and oral diseases such as broken teeth, cavities and periodontitis.
How to Cure Sensitive Teeth
To reduce pain due to sensitive teeth, you can do the following:
1. Reduce consumption of foods and drinks that are sour or sweet
Avoid or reduce the consumption of foods or drinks that are sour or sweet to prevent further damage to tooth enamel that can cause sensitive teeth. Instead, consume vegetables and fruits that contain fiber, as well as milk and various processed products that contain high calcium.
If you consume foods or drinks that are sour or sweet, immediately clean your teeth or rinse your mouth so that there are no remnants of food and drinks that stick to the surface or between the teeth.
2. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush so that your tooth enamel does not get eroded. Also, don't brush your teeth too hard. Brush your teeth slowly, especially around the gum line so that your gums don't hurt or erode.
3. Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Brush your teeth twice a day using toothpaste for sensitive teeth. This type of toothpaste contains ingredients that do not irritate the teeth and gums.
Certain toothpaste products contain novamin, which is a substance that can overcome the pain caused by sensitive teeth. In addition, the content of novamin can also protect dentin by forming a protective layer on the dentin surface.
4. Choose alcohol-free dental care products
To prevent the appearance of pain due to sensitive teeth, you should avoid using mouthwashes that contain alcohol. In addition, you should choose toothpaste that contains fluoride. This fluoride substance can rebuild eroded tooth enamel and can prevent cavities.
5. Stop the habit of grinding your teeth
The habit of grinding teeth can damage tooth enamel which causes teeth to become sensitive. If you do this habit unknowingly and find it difficult to break this habit, then you should consult a doctor to get the right treatment. If this habit is caused by psychological problems, for example because of anxiety or stress then you should consult a psychologist to find a solution to stop this habit.
That's how to deal with sensitive teeth that you can try. If the sensitive tooth problem you are experiencing does not improve or is getting worse, you should immediately consult a dentist to get the right treatment.
