The condition of your teeth can brighten up a room or have you feeling unwilling to smile at all. While there’s no doubt that most of us want to avoid the crutches of yellowing teeth, oral hygiene complaints span far further than cosmetic appearance. Even though you should continue to make efforts to stave off unsightly stains, tooth and gum sensitivity is an increasingly popular complaint. However, when taking into account that sensitivity is caused by the decaying enamel or exposed roots of a tooth, cosmetic goals are equally as crucial as yellowing teeth will soon become sensitive and brittle.
We all know oral healthcare is vital, although, if you are experiencing tooth or gum sensitivity, your oral hygiene routine should change significantly. Unfortunately, a regular toothbrush may aggravate sensitivity and the same applies to ordinary toothpaste formulations; rendering everyday routines unsuitable. To best avoid further upsetting your sensitive teeth and gums, you should consider the following best oral health practices for sensitive teeth.
Regular Checkups
Routine dentist checkups should be essential for everyone. However, checkups are crucial for those experiencing sensitivity as sharp pains and discomfort associated with sensitivity could be the result of a cracked or damaged tooth. Booking an appointment with Smilovits DDS or a renowned dentist near you will significantly assist your battle against ongoing oral sensitivity.
Dental associations generally recommend a routine checkup at least twice per year. Although, if sensitivity is becoming a hurdle in your daily life, it is best to increase the frequency of dental checkups to either three or four times each year. Instead of neglecting your oral health, routine checkups can massively alter the condition of your teeth and gums, potentially removing sensitivity altogether.
Suitable Foods
Not everyone considers the selection of foods they consume when it comes to oral health, and while this is likely because we assume a quite mouth cleanse will undo any potential harm, this is not entirely accurate. There are certain foods out there that are good for teeth and gum health. Foods such as apples, strawberries, and other abrasive citric fruits are incredibly beneficial for teeth and gums. On the other hand, dietary choices such as consuming ample coffee, tea, and even smoking cigarettes can degrade oral health dramatically. If you are not entirely sure which foods you should avoid, there are several detailed lists and guides available online that will help you best care for your teeth through dietary changes.
Changing your dietary habits to better care for your teeth will likely be a recommendation from most professional dentists. Other habits you should develop, include rinsing your mouth thoroughly with water or a saltwater solution following each meal or snack. Keeping your mouth clean and germ-free is one of the best ways to keep sensitivity complaints at bay. You may even find that your dietary choices are at the core of your tooth and gum sensitivity as foods can dramatically propel the condition of your teeth and gums. Your diet affects so much more than your weight as your overall health is a direct result of the food you choose to eat.
Soft Bristles And Gentle Toothpaste
You may feel lured in by the precious promises of teeth whitening formulations and brand promises that insinuate perfect teeth are just one brush away. However, your goal should be to keep your teeth and gums clean without aggravating sensitivity. Therefore, toothpaste formulations that are specifically for those with sensitive teeth and gums are ideal. In addition to this, you should also opt for an ideal quality toothbrush that has soft bristles. Regular toothbrush bristles are often too harsh for sensitive gums.
Floss Once Daily
Even though dentist recommendations amplify the importance of flossing, it is not uncommon for us to neglect to floss. If you have teeth and gum sensitivity, flossing is even more critical as it will help remove the build-up of plaque and food particles that can irritate teeth and gums. You should finish your morning oral hygiene routine with flossing as a standard best practice. If you are somewhat unsure of how to floss correctly, your dentist will best be able to guide you with consideration to your oral sensitivity.
Breath Freshening Habits
Almost everyone out there has experienced some concern for bad breath at one point or another. While the fears of poor mouth odour are often enough to make use of mouthwash and other breath freshening habits, those enduring tooth and gum sensitivity should be even more devoted to such practices. You should use mouthwash during your oral healthcare routine and rinse your mouth with water throughout the day to best avoid bad breath and support oral hygiene. Keeping your breath fresh and your oral hygiene up to standard will essentially help you prevent the development of oral health conditions such as gum disease and several other unpleasant issues.
Home Treatment Solutions
Dealing with tooth and gum sensitivity can be extremely frustrating as outbursts of pain can sometimes feel uncalled for. Therefore, even if you are devoted to ongoing routine dental checkups, and you are constant with your oral hygiene routine, you will still need home treatments on hand. Because you are experiencing sensitivity, it is best to avoid treatments that are chemical or artificial as they are likely too harsh for your teeth and gums.
Some of the best home remedies to appease pain associated with tooth and gum sensitivity include simple solutions such as a standard saltwater mouth rinse. The salt solution will kill bacteria and germs that could be aggravating sensitivity. If a saltwater solution is not enough to manage pain, massaging ground turmeric powder onto the areas of sensitivity will reduce inflammation and offer antibiotic and antibacterial benefits. Unfortunately, turmeric powder does not exactly boast the most pleasant taste and if the bitter flavour does not sit well with you, vanilla extract is likely the best alternative. You can apply vanilla extract liquid using a piece of cotton wool and gently apply the extract to the area experiencing discomfort.