There’s nothing worse than biting into your favorite ice cream or opening your mouth for a brisk, deep breath in the morning and feeling instant zings of sensitivity pain throughout your mouth. Sensitive teeth are caused by exposed nerves deep in the tooth. These nerves could have become exposed due to gum disease, tooth decay, aggressive toothbrushing, or wearing away of the enamel. While tooth sensitivity is a painful issue, it’s not an uncommon one. Millions of people struggle with this pesky problem, but luckily, there are several steps you can take at home to take care of this pesky problem.

Change​ ​Your​ ​Toothbrush

Brushing your teeth is a necessity for a healthy mouth, but the wrong toothbrush can sometimes cause more harm than good. Rough, hard-bristled toothbrushes can contribute to the wear of your enamel, effectively adding to the sensitivity issue. Instead, opt for a gentle, soft-bristled toothbrush and brush in a smooth back-and-forth motion rather than erratically. Treating your teeth gently will go a long way in remedying your sensitive mouth.

Avoid​ ​Acidic​ ​Foods

Highly acidic foods like carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, wine, and yogurt all contribute to the wearing away of enamel over time. Frequent contact with foods high in acid act as a catalyst for enamel decay, which exposes your teeth’s nerves more quickly. Try to cut acidity from your diet as much as possible if you’re struggling with sensitive teeth. If you can’t stay away from acidic drinks like coffee or soft drinks, consider drinking through a straw to limit actual contact with your teeth.

Try​ ​a​ ​Mouth​ ​Guard

If you’re notorious for worrying and stressing, you’re probably familiar with grinding your teeth at night. Teeth grinding can play a huge role in the sensitivity of your teeth, though, because grinding contributes to the wearing down of your enamel. Try adding a mouth guard to your nightly routine in order to cut down on the wear and tear of your enamel. To find one, check out the oral health section of your local drug store.

Incorporate​ ​Desensitizing​ ​Toothpaste

If natural remedies aren’t working for your sensitive teeth, try incorporating an anti-sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne. Sometimes, tooth sensitivity is so severe that we need help combatting it. A desensitizing toothpaste is an easy way to fight the pain — switch out your usual toothpaste with one made to help sensitivity and start treating the pain without changing any part of your routine.
If​ ​you’re​ ​suffering​ ​from​ ​sensitive​ ​teeth,​ ​don’t​ ​worry.​ ​You’re​ ​not​ ​alone!​ Everyone from children to the elderly struggle with tooth sensitivity, but fortunately, it’s an easy problem to fix with the right know-how. If you think your tooth sensitivity is beyond the norm, schedule an appointment with Cornerstone Family Dentistry today. We will be happy to perform a comprehensive exam to ensure everything is in tip-top shape for your oral health.