Treating Tooth Sensitivity: At Home and At the Clinic

When there is recession of gums or the tooth enamel gets thinner or damaged, the root and nerves can get exposed resulting in increased sensations of sensitivity. Read on to find out ways on how to reduce tooth sensitivity.

Prevention of Tooth Sensitivity

One of the most frequent questions asked on search engines is ‘how to reduce sensitivity?’ Dentin hypersensitivity can come on unexpectedly and may disappear or linger depending on the level of damage. This situation can cause a sharp sensation or a throbbing one when a person has cold, hot or sweet foods. The best way to prevent sensitivity is to brush our teeth twice a day gently with non- abrasive toothpaste. Get rid of food particles and plaque through flossing which is a great habit to prevent tooth sensitivity and so is following a low acidic diet. Regular visits to the dentist can help reveal tooth problems such as gum disease or cavities which can result in timely treatment.

Home Remedies to Relieve Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can occur anytime and without warning and before you go to the dentist, here are some home remedies to reduce the soreness. Use desensitizing toothpaste that contains ingredients such as potassium nitrate that acts as a nerve shield. The paste blocks throbbing signals and protects the nerves from irritants. In addition, brush with a toothbrush that has soft bristles and rinse the mouth with a fluoride mouthwash. To reduce inflammation, alleviate soreness and reduce symptoms of sensitivity, gargle with saltwater twice a day. Two caps of hydrogen peroxide with equal parts of warm water can be used as a mouth wash. Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant that can prevent infection and inflammation. In the quest to find natural ways on how to reduce sensitivity, turmeric has always been the go to ingredient. Its anti- inflammatory properties enhance healing and alleviate soreness. Another commonly used ingredient is honey, it is anti- bacterial, reduces inflammation, discomfort and promotes oral health. Topical gels or mouthwashes containing compounds of capsaicin have great analgesic properties and are great soreness healer.

Sometimes home remedies won’t be of much help and a visit to the doctor will be necessary. Tooth sensitivity as a result of a gum disease or a cavity can be treated through dental cleaning. In order to strengthen the dentin and enamel, a layer of fluoride varnish is applied to the affected areas. The gel is placed into a mouth tray which is placed in the patients’ mouth for a couple of minutes. Another way to seal the exposed dentin surface is to use a bonding agent to act as a barrier to irritants causing sensitivity. When the gum tissue has eroded, dentists can perform a surgical gum graft that will protect the exposed areas. A successful solution as to how to reduce sensitivity especially in severe cases is through a root canal procedure.

While tooth sensitivity is common, it can be the reason for soreness and discomfort which can be alleviated or controlled through various treatments and habits.