As many as 40% of the population struggle with tooth sensitivity. It is not only drinking and eating hot and cold drinks that causes pain, but also brushing the teeth or breathing in cold air. If you are also among these people, here are some home remedies for tooth sensitivity.
Where does tooth sensitivity come from?
Tooth sensitivity is caused, among other things, by accumulated tartar. If not removed, it gets under the gums, thereby exposing the tooth necks and increasing sensitivity to pain, heat and cold.
It also has much more serious consequences - periodontitis. This, if left untreated, can lead to loosening of the teeth and, consequently, tooth loss. If you want to learn more about periodontitis, we recommend our article "Modern periodontitis treatment in the UK with Vector Paro Pro".
Damaged enamel that reveals highly innervated dentin, decay and bruxism (teeth grinding) are also responsible for tooth sensitivity. If you would like to learn more about the causes of tooth sensitivity, we refer you to our article "How to treat tooth sensitivity and where it comes from".
Home remedies for tooth sensitivity - prevention first
Often, tooth sensitivity can be avoided through good oral hygiene. The most important thing is that you brush your teeth after every meal (the necessary minimum is twice a day), if this is not possible at least rinse your mouth with water.
Brushing too hard or using the wrong belt and too hard a toothbrush is also harmful. It is best to brush your teeth using a sweeping motion. You can find out exactly what they consist of in our article - "How to brush your teeth properly'.
IMPORTANT: Remember not to brush your teeth immediately after eating citrus fruitsYou can also brush with a lot of water, fizzy drinks and acidic foods. When you brush, you rub in acids that damage the enamel. Rinse your mouth with water and wait about an hour.
Before we move on to home remedies for tooth sensitivity, it is essential to mention regular visits to the dentist. You won't always be able to remove plaque and deposits from hard-to-reach areas on your own. That is why you should make an appointment for hygienization at least once every six months. What exactly it is and what procedures are performed as part of such a visit - you will find the answer in the material "Dental hygiene in the UK - scaling, tooth sandblasting, polishing and fluoridation".
What are some home remedies for tooth sensitivity?
Firstly, buy the right toothpaste dedicated to hypersensitive teeth. These will be products with an RDA (degree of abrasiveness) of less than 30. Importantly, the toothpaste should not contain any bleaching agents. It is also a good idea to change your toothbrush to one with soft bristles.
In addition to using the right method of brushing your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste tailored to your needs, home remedies for tooth sensitivity include rinsing with coconut oil. It has the effect of reducing the amount of bacteria and, in addition, helps to get rid of unpleasant mouth odour. Rinse your mouth for about 15 minutes, but remember not to swallow the oil as there are bacteria in it. Brush your teeth after the rinse.
You can also make rinses with salt or onions. In the first case, mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth with this solution. This helps to balance the pH factor and creates an alkaline environment, which makes it difficult for bacteria to grow. Onions contain flavonoids, which have strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Also remember to eat foods rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3. On the other hand, avoid hot or very cold dishes, and it is best to drink chilled drinks through a straw.
Remember, however, that home remedies for tooth sensitivity are not enough! If you are struggling with this ailment it is best to make an appointment in our office. In the course of this, we will not only carry out a hygienization procedure, but will also check the condition of the entire oral cavity and thus be able to eliminate the possible cause of tooth sensitivity.
IMPORTANT: Our surgery is open, however, due to the current situation, the way we register and the process of the visit has changed. Read more about this in the material "Visiting a dentist in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic - Polish dental clinic in Birmingham„.
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