Sensitive teeth are a common dental problem that plagues 1 in 3 people. Tooth sensitivity varies from very slight to severe pain and is usually caused when a person eats or drinks something either hot or cold. Some people experience sensitivity when brushing their teeth or even when they breathe in cold air. A common cause of tooth sensitivity is when tooth enamel wears thin and the dentin layer of your tooth is exposed.
Exposed dentin can be caused by brushing your teeth too much or from brushing your teeth too hard or aggressively. People with gum disease and receding gums can also be a cause of exposed dentin. Honestly even regular wear and tear on your teeth from acidic food and drinks can wear down the enamel on your teeth causing dentin to be exposed.
If you struggle with tooth sensitivity you should talk to your dentist immediately, however there are things you can do at home to help the sensitivity problems. You should use a toothbrush with soft or medium bristles, never hard. Only brush twice a day and do not be overly aggressive when brushing. For people with extremely worn tooth enamel, a limited diet of non acidic food may be in order. Your dentist may recommend a product called Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste is a special type of toothpaste that helps form a reparative layer over the sensitive parts of your teeth. When it is used to gently brush your teeth and makes contact with exposed dentin, it forms a protective layer which can help repair and lessen tooth sensitivity. Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste can be used instead of your regular toothpaste as it has all the benefits of regular toothpaste with the added benefit of helping combat tooth sensitivity.
