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Coping with Tooth sensitivity

Many of our patients at Leeds City Dentalcare will be all-too-familiar with that sensation that can be felt when eating ice cream or drinking a refreshing can of fizzy drink. We’re not talking about the pleasurable feeling of drinking or eating something cold on a hot summer’s day, but rather that sensation of pain or sensitivity that’s associated with these foods.

Many people suffer from sensitive teeth and often seek to manage this sensitivity in ways that are not particularly great for dental health. If you find you chew on one particular side of the mouth and avoid foods that cause sensitivity then you may need to book an appointment with Dr David Brown to find out if you have any signs of cavities or gum disease that could be causing this condition. If this is the case then treating your tooth sensitivity could be relatively straightforward and easy to put right, allowing you to enjoy icy cold drinks and ice cream on those all too rare days when British summertime chooses to put in an appearance. However some people simply have a thin layer of tooth enamel that puts them more at risk of suffering from tooth sensitivity, but even so there are plenty of things you can do to help reduce the symptoms.

Avoiding Foods That Could Cause Tooth Sensitivity

So what foods should you be avoiding if you do suffer from sensitive teeth? In general acidic and sugary foods tend to be the main culprits for tooth sensitivity, so avoiding foods that are high in acid and sugar will help keep your mouth more comfortable. It could be that your tooth enamel is particularly thin due to repeated exposure to acids and sugars, while some people simply have a thinner layer of tooth enamel than others.

Choosing foods that are more alkaline, especially those that contain valuable minerals that could help strengthen your tooth enamel will be beneficial. Instead of reaching for a piece of chocolate, try munching on a small piece of cheese, or eating a yogurt as these can be valuable sources of calcium. Swapping out citrus fruits for crunchy vegetables such as carrots will also help reduce sensitivity.

Modifying Your Dental Hygiene Routine

Other things that can help include modifying your dental hygiene routine through using fluoride toothpaste designed to reduce tooth sensitivity. These toothpastes can be very good, but you shouldn’t expect to find they give immediate results as it can take a while for the effects to build up. This is because these toothpastes have a cumulative effect in helping to block up the tiny tubules in your dentine.

When your tooth enamel is particularly thin then it can expose this underlying layer of dentine, in turn exposing the thousands of tiny tubules present in this layer. These tubules lead directly to the pulp in the centre of the tooth which contains all the nerves and blood vessels. Blocking up these tubules through using special toothpastes helps to reduce sensitivity, keeping you more comfortable. If you have particularly sensitive teeth then the dentist at Leeds City Dentalcare may also suggest further measures such as using fluoride supplements or a fluoride mouthwash to help strengthen your tooth enamel, reducing the sensitivity. If you do have sensitive teeth then there is no need to suffer in silence, as our experienced dental team at our Leeds surgery are always more than willing to offer advice and possibly treatment.

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