How to Reduce Tooth Sensitivity

When you take a sip of an ice-cold drink or a piping hot coffee, do your teeth hurt? The worst is when you breathe in air and your teeth ache in pain. And good luck with an ice cream cone! Sensitive teeth are not only painful but they can also interfere with your daily life and affect what you can and cannot eat and drink.

The reason for the pain from sensitive teeth is exposed dentine (the inner substance of the tooth which is covered by enamel). Your enamel, especially where the tooth meets the root at the gumline, can get quite thin, exposing the dentine. Dentine contains tunnels linked to the nerves on the inside of the tooth and when the dentine is exposed, these nerves are very easily stimulated, resulting in pain.

Some common causes of sensitive teeth are: acid erosion, gum recession, gum disease, tooth grinding, tooth bleaching, or a cracked tooth or filling.

Here are some ways to reduce tooth sensitivity:

1. Switch Toothpastes

There are several brands of toothpaste on the market, such as Sensodyne, that are designed to help you if you have sensitive teeth. They contain an active ingredient called potassium nitrate to help block the tiny tunnels in the dentine that connect to the nerves. Switching toothpaste is a great place to start if you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity for the first time.

2. Rethink the Way You Brush

You should always use a soft toothbrush and you should never brush too vigorously. Hard brushing can actually wear away your enamel, increasing the sensitivity of your teeth.

3. Avoid Acidic Foods and Drinks

Exposure to acidic foods and drinks such as fruit juice, soda, red wine, oranges, and sour candy can do major damage to the enamel on your teeth, causing sensitivity. Limit your daily intake and brush after you eat these foods.

4. Talk to your Dentist

If you’re not having luck with desensitizing toothpaste or changing the way you brush and eat, contact West Bloomington’s Krengel Dental. Dr. Krengel can go over procedures that can minimize sensitivity. If you grind your teeth, which wears away enamel, your dentist can fit you for a mouth guard. Changing toothpastes and the way you brush can’t replace damage done by gum disease, acid erosion, or a cracked tooth, so if you are unsure what is causing your tooth sensitivity, don’t hesitate to contact Krengel Dental! 

Why You Should Floss Regularly

The American Dental Association reported surprising statistics on how Americans view the importance of flossing. They reported that 50.5% of Americans floss daily, 31% of Americans floss less than daily, and 18.5% of Americans do not floss at all. Which category do you fall into?

The ADA recommends flossing once a day. That means 49.5% of Americans are missing out on this all-important step of dental health care and maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

If you brush your teeth twice a day as recommended but still forget to floss, you’re missing out on cleaning one-third of each of your teeth.  Every time you brush, you clean the top, inside, and outside of each tooth. However, there are areas between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t clean effectively without flossing. When you brush without flossing, you are only cleaning 65% of your teeth, leaving 35% unclean.

Bacteria can thrive along these unattended surfaces, and over time lead to the formation of plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease. Floss removes debris trapped between the teeth and removes the film of bacteria between your teeth before it has a chance to harden into plaque. Tip: Don’t forget to floss all the way to your very back teeth.

Brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits are all essential factors of proper dental care that should not be overlooked. Visit West Bloomington’s Krengel Dental for your next dental appointment. Take the time to care for your teeth, and they will thank you with a healthy smile to be proud of.

The Most Common Dental Problems

1. Bad Breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is the most common dental problem. You might not think of bad breath as a “dental” problem but 85% of people with persistent bad breath have a dental condition to blame, such as gum disease, cavities, oral cancer, dry mouth, or bacteria on the tongue. Brushing your teeth, tongue, and using mouthwash are great places to start but if you suffer from chronic bad breath, visit a dentist to rule out any other dental problems.

2. Tooth Decay

We touched on tooth decay in our last blog post. Behind the common cold, tooth decay is the second most prevalent disease in the United States. It occurs when plaque forms on our teeth and combines with the food we eat to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. Prevent tooth decay by brushing twice a day, flossing, and going to regular dental checkups.

3. Gum Disease

Gum disease, scientifically known as periodontal disease, is quite possibly one of the most serious dental problems because it is commonly linked to heart attacks and strokes. Gum disease is an infection in the gums surrounding the teeth and is one of the main causes of tooth loss among adults.

4. Oral Cancer

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that someone in the US dies every hour from oral cancer and that there over 300,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed every year, worldwide. This serious and deadly dental disease that affects the mouth, lips, or throat, is highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages.

5. Mouth Sores

Mouth sores, such as canker sores, fever blisters, cold sores, and ulcers, are bothersome but they don’t usually last more than two weeks and disappear on their own. Contact your dentist for medication and treatment.

6. Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity means experiencing tooth pain or discomfort from sweets, cold air, hot or cold drinks, or ice cream. Some people’s teeth are so sensitive that they hurt when they brush or floss. There are certain toothpastes to help control tooth sensitivity and your dentist will know what to do to help.

7. Unattractive Smile

This is not technically a “dental problem” and is definitely not as serious as the others on this list but people who are unhappy with their smile consider this a dental issue and it’s one of the major reasons why patients seek dental treatment. With today’s dental technology, a beautiful smile is within reach! Whether it’s teeth whitening, dental implants, or cosmetic dental work, your dentist can give you the smile you’ve always wanted!