1. What causes tooth hypersensitivity?
3. What treatment for tooth sensitivity?
4. How to prevent tooth sensitivity?
Sharp, sudden, and frequent pain in the teeth are generally symptoms that indicate that they are hypersensitive . 🤕
Dental sensitivity results in fact from the vulnerability of dentin which, being exposed to several factors, can react. The causes, sources of this pain, are numerous, but fortunately, there are means and methods to relieve the pain.
Discover them in this guide made by the MyVariations team
What are the causes of tooth hypersensitivity?
First of all, it is important to know what dental/dentin hypersensitivity is.
This condition can develop over time, caused by a variety of common problems such as gum recession (retraction of the gums around the teeth, causing loose teeth ), or the gradual loss of tooth enamel.
Tooth sensitivity can begin to be felt when the softest part inside the tooth, called “dentin” (yes, the name is super cute 🥰), becomes exposed. Dentin is normally located under the enamel and gum , so it is normal for it to be hyper-sensitive when it finds itself deprived of its shields. 🚧
Thousands of microscopic channels pass through this dentin to the heart of the tooth. When dentin is exposed, various external factors (such as a cold soda 🥤) can stimulate the nerve inside the tooth, resulting in the very sharp but short-lived pain that people with sensitive teeth experience. very (too) good. 🚨
But thermal changes, these famous “hot-cold” which hurt your teeth , are not the only cause of pain in sensitive teeth. Indeed, these pains can also occur in response to chemical stimuli (acidic foods 🍋 or alcohol), tactile (chewing, contact with a fork 🍴) or osmotic ( sugars 🍭). But their origin does not necessarily arise (on the contrary) from another dental anomaly or disease.
This dentin hypersensitivity can affect a single tooth, or several teeth adjacent to it.
Dentin is made up of tubuli (small tubes), made up of a large number of nerve endings and fluid which, once defenseless, create pain. Factors that can trigger such a problem include cold , heat , touch , sugar , edible acids , etc. ❄️
A sensitive tooth can have various causes.
Enamel wear
This is the most common cause of tooth sensitivity. Enamel , the external part that covers the tooth, although it is known for its resistance, can sometimes wear out. This degradation can have several sources. The first is poor tooth brushing . 🪥 Indeed, by cleaning with too much force, inadequately or too regularly you can cause dental hypersensitivity. It is therefore essential to know how to brush your teeth properly .
Conversely, poor oral hygiene can produce dental plaque which will turn into tartar (if poorly removed) on the tooth, which will subsequently attack the latter. It is therefore important to brush them well to remove tartar and dental plaque . Another cause of dental sensitivity is bruxism (grinding teeth) or repeated chewing of hard objects or foods . 💥
Excessive consumption of carbonated or sugary drinks and lemon water are triggers for this illness.
Temporary sensitivity following treatment
Treatment of the tooth can make it sensitive to touch, cold, heat, etc. The problem can thus arise following scaling, gum surgery, tooth whitening at the dentist, filling of cavities and many other factors. ☝️
The symptoms gradually disappear over time. The duration varies depending on the therapy followed. If said symptoms persist, it is recommended to consult a dentist in order to find appropriate solutions and prevent this situation from becoming a dental emergency. 🩺
Retraction of the gums
Gum recession is the result of periodontal recession leading to the exposure of the tooth root. This disease which makes the tooth sensitive is caused by the degradation of the gingival tissue around it.
Hot, cold and certain foods cause pain that can sometimes be unbearable. The causes of this problem are, among others , periodontal or gingival disease ( gingivitis or periodontitis ), non-maintenance of the oral cavity, poor technique in using the toothbrush. 👄
However, it is possible to reduce the risk of disease, for example by knowing what foods to avoid to prevent periodontitis.
If left untreated, gum recession caused by chronic diseases can lead to loosening of teeth .
How to relieve the tooth?
There are many possible methods and solutions to use to relieve the tooth. Some are temporary and can be used long term. However, the ideal would be to consult if the dental pain is persistent.
Use a toothpaste suitable for desensitization
Some toothpastes are designed for people with delicate teeth. Their role is to make them less sensitive . To relieve the tooth, you have two possible options. On the one hand, you can brush with toothpaste, being careful not to aggravate the situation. After finishing, rinse your mouth with little water. 💧
On the other hand, you just need to apply it directly to the tooth using your finger which must first be cleaned or the toothbrush. Let it sit for a few minutes for it to take effect.
Opt for cloves
Clove has the ability to reduce pain, prevent bacteria in the mouth from spreading and multiplying, and reduce inflammation. It can be used to soothe the tooth . To obtain the desired result, you must pass clove oil in the mouth in a small quantity, or place a whole nail on the painful tooth for a few hours. It can be combined for greater effectiveness with orange essential oil. 🍊
Rinse your mouth with salt water
Salt water mouthwash helps alleviate the pain caused by tooth sensitivity. Indeed, salt water transforms the inside of the mouth into an alkaline environment , which protects against the development of bacteria. 🦠 This also applies to dental plaque which does not form in as large quantities.
To do this, simply mix two teaspoons in a cup of relatively hot water. Rinse your mouth with the mixture twice a day , preferably in the morning and evening. ☕️
Consider using peppermint essential oil
Peppermint essential oil is used in several areas. Thanks to its analgesic properties, it is one of the best ways to relieve pain caused by tooth sensitivity. 🍃 In addition, the menthol it contains is both soothing and refreshing. To use it, dip a cotton swab in it and then pass it over the area concerned.
It should be noted that peppermint essential oil is in no way recommended for pregnant women. On the contrary, it is prohibited for the latter. This also applies to children under 7 years old. This is due to his irritability.
What treatment for tooth sensitivity?
Every disease requires adequate therapy. The toothache resulting from the hypersensitivity of the latter for its part can be cured in several different ways. Some solutions are natural and others more drawn towards artificial methods. 💉
Reduce acidic foods and sugars
The consumption of certain foods reduces the resistance of the enamel, which gradually destroys it. The gums become loose and this makes the teeth sensitive to the touch. When you have dental fragility, it becomes necessary to ban certain habits. These obviously involve the reduction or even elimination of food products including sugars and acidifiers. 🍬
Therefore, favor fruits and vegetables and replace them with products made from cow's milk, coffee, alcohol, cereals, etc. Depending on the level of sensitivity, you should avoid lemon and commercially available citrus juices as much as possible.
Devitalization
Sensitivity may be considered severe when dental pain is prolonged and severe. In these circumstances, it is considered necessary to call a specialist who in turn may request that a devitalization be carried out. It is one of the best solutions to treat the root canal . 🥼
A filling or devitalization is also performed when the tooth root is exposed and therefore becomes vulnerable. The dentist applies resin to the affected areas around the tooth.
Gum graft
Gum grafting is an operation in which gum tissue is extracted to fill the areas that have had the infection. It is carried out in situations of advanced gum retraction. 👄
How to prevent tooth sensitivity?
The best solution if you want to avoid having teeth that are sensitive to the touch is to take protective and preventative measures.
Take good care of your oral hygiene
Maintaining good oral health is no longer up for debate. In fact, by maintaining oral hygiene, you ensure that you eliminate one of the sources of tooth sensitivity. This means being careful on several points. First, you have to be meticulous in choosing your toothbrush . Whether you prefer to choose a manual or electric brush , it is the one that allows you to clean your entire teeth. Preferably, it would be better to take one that has flexible and soft bristles so as not to hurt or attack the gums. 😉
Then, you must master the brushing technique in order to keep your teeth always clean. For people who don't know how this is done or who want to be sure they can do it, electric toothbrushes and their benefits will satisfy you. Whatever its type, oral care does not exclude the use of other brushing tools including dental floss, dental floss or inter-dental brushes , etc.
Learn about the correct way to use interdental brushes beforehand.
Toothpaste , for its part, should be organic and ideally contain fluoride, good for strengthening teeth . 🧪
We advise you to use an alcohol-free toothpaste and mouthwash (rich in fluoride or other molecules such as potassium or strontium, for desensitization)
If you want to be sure that you are making the right choice, you should turn to sonic electric toothbrushes. Very gentle on the gums and enamel, but no less effective, it will take care of your teeth in the best way. 🥳
An excellent model is that of the French brand MyVariations .
This sonic vibration electric toothbrush is ideal, due to its 5 brushing modes and its integrated 2-minute timer. Its soft nylon bristles are simply perfect for brushing sensitive teeth without damaging them. 🙌
A course of probiotics
Pathogenic bacteria in the mouth are often the cause of dental sensitization. To get rid of and prevent this illness, it is possible to use probiotics and better, to take a cure with them. 💊
Said treatment can run over a period of one to two months . The capsule is taken once each morning on an empty stomach. Preferably choose probiotics which have several strains and which are sold in pharmacies and organic stores.
In case of bruxism
Bruxism, or teeth grinding , is one of the factors that can trigger dental pain; it is important to report this to the dentist. The latter will be able to carry out the necessary examinations in order to find the ideal therapy to avoid tooth sensitivity. If it is the result of the patient himself, he could personally train himself to no longer clench his teeth or grind them.
Psychological solutions, including reducing stress that can be the cause of sore mouth , can be defined with a specialized therapist. 🧘♀️
