1. Don’t brush with so much “hate”!
Many people brush with excessive force and often brush too hard using a hard toothbrush. Effective brushing does not need effort, but method! Teeth wear down, especially in the neck area (the area adjacent to the edge of the gums), with intense brushing, exposing the dental tubules to the oral environment, which carry all the “strong” stimuli directly to the nerve of the tooth. The simplest solution is to either use medium to soft toothbrushes or choose a toothbrush that when you apply too much force “bends” and you can’t continue.
2. Consumption of acidic foods.
If there is exposed dentin (“sensitive teeth”) acidic foods such as lemon (and citrus fruits in general), tomato, pickle can easily cause pain. So by avoiding acidic foods you can easily avoid the discomfort they cause.
3. Bruxism.
If you clench or grind your teeth during the day and night, the enamel of your teeth will soon wear away, exposing some of the dentin to the oral environment. The dentin is “full of dental tubules” which communicate directly with the pulp and convey any stimulus to it resulting in intense tooth sensitivity! Initially, a special brace will help to prevent the wear of your teeth and eventually you may also need some small fillings on your teeth.
4. Whitening toothpastes.
Many whitening toothpastes have some extra chemical ingredients than the common toothpastes as well as granules with abrasive properties resulting in exacerbating the problem in patients with sensitive teeth.
5. Brushing Addiction!
Most patients with decay in their enamel are often excessive with the frequency of brushing as well as with the overuse of oral hygiene products that contain alcohol or other chemical ingredients. Those who suffer from sensitivity are better off using products with a neutral PH and being extra careful with the pressure they apply when brushing.
6. Gum diseases.
With age or due to incurable gum diseases, the gums often “relax” around the teeth, causing them to shrink and thus exposing the root of the tooth to the oral environment and thus creating sensitivity.
7. Large plaque deposits
Every day we must brush our teeth thoroughly, especially after eating our meals because then the plaque is created which adheres to the surface of the teeth. Also, we should not skip the annual or 6-monthly (depending on the needs of each patient) cleaning of our teeth by our dentist because the large deposits of plaque on the surface of the teeth create wear of the enamel and eventually caries. Thus, due to wear and tear, the teeth become more sensitive. So daily and diligent brushing is the key to success.
8. Dental interventions.
It is common after a dental procedure (usually after an extraction or filling) to feel a little sensitive in the area. Usually such symptoms go away after a few days. If this does not happen you should visit your dentist again.
9. Cracks in the teeth.
Cracked or chipped teeth usually cause pain and sensitivity. Mostly patients who clench their teeth face such problems. The treatment plan in such cases is a bit complicated because we may need to intervene with a seal but we may also end up with denervation.
10. Wear and tear due to years.
It is common after years to feel sensitivity to old fillings. This is because there is a mild wear at the sealing edges and maybe caries. So normally there is sensitivity in these teeth to either cold or sweet which can be easily treated by changing the old fillings.
Tooth sensitivity is treatable and usually easily managed. If the sensitivity does not improve with the use of special medicated gels and toothpastes then a visit to the dentist is the next step. Your dentist is the one who will determine the cause of your extreme sensitivity and give you the solution.
