The Truth About Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive Teeth: It’s All About the Dentin

Enamel is the hardest substance in your body, but the next layer down on your teeth — the dentin — is the culprit behind tooth sensitivity. Dentin is the inner, softer (9 times softer than enamel) mineral portion of the tooth, and contains microscopic hollow tunnels called tubules, which lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, food that’s hot, cold, acidic, sticky or sweet can irritate those nerves deep within the tooth and then…ow. Exposed dentin is often a result of:

• Tooth decay and excess plaque build up
• Fractured teeth or chipped enamel
• Worn fillings
• Worn tooth enamel
• Gum disease
• An exposed tooth root caused by receding gums or aggressive tooth brushing

The Usual Suspects: What to Avoid

Drink the wrong drink, eat the wrong thing, and boom: Your teeth will let you know they’re not happy. Here are the most common aggravators for sensitive teeth:

• Hot liquids, like tea or broth
• Cold items, like iced coffee and frozen yogurt
• Sugary and sticky foods, like caramel
• Acidic foods, like tomato sauce and soda
• Citrus foods, like pineapple

Simple Changes for Sensitive Teeth Relief

While you can’t replace the enamel you’ve worn away, here are 6 ways you can protect the enamel you have — as well as reduce tooth sensitivity.

1. Brush gently. Brushing too hard can impact your gums and expose your dentin, making your teeth sensitive. Use a soft bristle brush, brush up and down instead of side to side, and avoid brushing up into your gums. Or, use the Spinbrush™ Pro Series battery-powered toothbrush. Just hold the bristles lightly against the surface of your teeth, angle the brush head slightly so it reaches under the gum line, and let those bristles do all the work.
2. Whiten naturally. Bleaching and whitening toothpastes with chemicals are tough on sensitive teeth. To whiten your teeth naturally and safely, choose a toothpaste that uses the gentle power of baking soda.
3. Switch to a sensitive toothpaste. These toothpastes are specially formulated to relieve pain in more sensitive nerves. Try a sensitive toothpaste like ARM & HAMMER™ Sensitive Whitening to get maximum relief in a low abrasion formula that’s gentler on enamel.
4. Rinse with fluoride. Fluoride helps strengthen your enamel, which can help protect against tooth sensitivity. Plus, fluoride helps protect you from tooth decay and cavities, which can also cause sensitive teeth. So, after you brush, use a fluoride rinse.
5. Wear a night guard. If you grind your teeth while you sleep, you’re grinding down your enamel too, which can make your teeth sensitive. Talk to your dentist about being fitted for a mouth guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.
6. Avoid trigger foods. If you notice your teeth are more sensitive after eating or drinking something hot, cold or acidic, take note and skip it at your next meal. While it’s disappointing to not be able to eat something you love, take a break from it and see what happens.

If your teeth are the sensitive type, don’t worry. With a little patience, and a few changes to your brushing routine, you’ll have plenty of reasons to smile.

• 8 Foods to Avoid If You Have Sensitive Teeth

http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/sensitive-teeth/foods-to-avoid/

• 10 Biggest Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/10-biggest-causes-of-tooth-sensitivity.aspx

• 8 Ways to Relieve Tooth Sensitivity

http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/dental-health/8-ways-relieve-tooth-sensitivity/