Sensitive teeth? Try this!

Are your teeth sensitive to cold foods and drinks? If so, you may have some gingival recession. Gingival recession occurs when some of your gum tissue shrinks, exposing a part of the tooth root. The root structure of teeth is usually much more temperature-sensitive than the top, or coronal, part.

There are two main causes of gingival recession: tooth-brush abrasion and tooth-grinding. If you ever wake up with a sore jaw or headache by your temple region, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth at night. In this case, come see us as soon as possible so we can fabricate a nightguard that will protect your teeth and your gums from further damage.

If you feel like you’re not clenching/grinding your teeth and still have sensitivity, it may be from tootbrush abrasion. It is critical to use a very soft toothbrush in small, gentle, circular motions. Scrubbing hard back-and-forth, especially with a hard-bristle toothbrush, can irritate the gums and cause them to pull away from the teeth.

A simple home-remedy I always recommend to patients that complain of tooth sensitivity that is caused by gingival recession is Sensodyne toothpaste. Sensodyne is one of the few toothpastes that, in addition to Fluoride, contains Potassium Nitrate. Potassium Nitrate is clinically proven to help reduce generalized tooth sensitivity.

After flossing and brushing your teeth for two minutes, you can leave a small smear of the Sensodyne toothpaste over any exposed root structure overnight. This will desensitize your teeth best.

Also, make sure you’re coming in to see us at least every 6 months so we can be sure your tooth sensitivity is not caused by other factors!

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Dr. Pevzner

* I am not sponsored or paid in any way by Sensodyne