How To Protect Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth can be a cause of real discomfort and pain, and can make it next to impossible to enjoy either hot or cold foods. Sensitivity can be caused by a variety of different dental health factors, so it can be hard to figure out what exactly is causing your discomfort. Thankfully, there are a few general things that you can do to help get some relief from your sensitive teeth and proactively protect them against future pain.
Switch to a Soft Toothbrush
Sensitive teeth can be caused by a variety of different factors, but one of the most common reasons why you may find hot and cold temperatures painful in your mouth is because of brushing too hard or using a toothbrush that is too stiff. Switch to a soft toothbrush and take it easy when brushing your teeth: it may also be a good idea to look into an electric toothbrush to improve your dental hygiene. By making use of a soft-bristled electric toothbrush, you can ensure that you won't wear away your enamel by brushing too hard, while also protecting your teeth from decay and cavities which can aggravate sensitivity as well.
Abrasive and Acidic Foods
The enamel of your teeth can be rapidly broken down depending on what your food intake looks like. Highly acidic and sugary foods, like soda, can cause damage to your teeth that can greatly increase their sensitivity, while also opening the door to other dental health issues like cavities. You should do your best to regulate your diet to avoid highly sugary and acidic foods. When drinking soda and other acidic liquids, you should make use of a straw to limit the overall amount of contact that they will have with your teeth.
Mouth Guards
One of the leading causes of sensitive teeth is grinding your teeth at night, which can wear down the enamel of your teeth fairly rapidly and expose the nerves in your teeth, which makes hot and cold foods painful to eat. There are a few things that you can do to reduce how much teeth grinding that you do, such as reducing your caffeine intake and taking steps to manage your daily stress levels, but it's a good idea to look into wearing a mouth guard at night to protect your teeth as well. Talk to a dentist like Mainwaring John D DDS about the various night mouth guard options are available.