If, when drinking a hot or icy drink, you experience a powerful pain sensation or chills in your teeth, you may be suffering from tooth sensitivity. This condition is prevalent and, in most cases, occurs when the teeth begin to lose the enamel that covers them, leaving the tooth’s dentin exposed, which, when in contact with a stimulant such as food, causes a sensation of pain.
Although tooth sensitivity can be temporary and does not represent any significant health complication, it is necessary to look for alternatives that allow us to cope with the discomfort and prevent pain. For this reason, at FastlyHealwe have prepared this article where you can learn about some home remedies for sensitive teeth and find out the leading causes of tooth sensitivity.
Table of Contents
Why sensitive teeth occur
Dentin is the layer that surrounds the nerve and is covered or protected by the enamel in the dental crown and gums. Over time, the enamel may decrease its thickness, providing less protection and becoming thinner. When this happens, the dentin is exposed, and when it comes into contact with cold, hot, sweet, or acidic foods, a sensation of pain or chills is produced that can be very annoying.
Many factors can influence oral health, causing enamel damage or gum recession, stimulating enamel shrinkage, and dentin exposure. Some of the causes of tooth sensitivity are:
- The consumption of acidic beverages causes erosion of the enamel and exposes the dentin. Drinking these drinks in excess can stimulate tooth sensitivity.
- Another cause of sensitive teeth is receding gums due to improper brushing or age.
- The tooth enamel wears out faster when a person suffers from bruxism and constantly grinds their teeth. To treat this condition, it is necessary to use a splint that prevents tooth wear.
- Some toothpaste contains highly abrasive ingredients that cause considerable enamel loss due to constant use. Check with your dentist about the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
- People with gingivitis, an inflammatory gum disease, are at higher risk of tooth sensitivity as the gum retracts and exposes the dentin.
- Having a dental injury like a chipped tooth can also expose dentin.
- Toothbrushes with very stiff bristles can retract the gums and cause this problem.
Home remedies for sensitive teeth: ginger and cayenne
There are many medicinal properties of ginger, and among them, its anti-inflammatory power stands out thanks to the fact that three of the components of this plant exert a reaction on a neurotransmitter responsible for awakening the sensation of pain, thus achieving an analgesic effect. The mixture of ginger and cayenne is beneficial for sensitive teeth because this flower can suppress pain in an almost magical way. A home remedy based on these two compounds is potent and easy to prepare.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of water.
- 20 gr of ground ginger.
- Two tablespoons of cayenne pepper.
To make this remedy, all the ingredients must be mixed until obtaining a paste. When the preparation is ready, this substance should be applied to the teeth with the help of a cotton ball and let rest.
Clove oil and peppermint infusion
Clove essential oil is a jewel of nature that offers antibacterial properties to the body and contains eugenol. This compound provides an anesthetic effect that reduces the pain of sensitive teeth. Of course, this analgesic effect should be taken into account for approximately 30 minutes; after this time, the affected area will begin to wake up again.
To use clove oil for tooth sensitivity, you should apply a few drops of it on the teeth that present pain, let the liquid rest, and after five minutes, you will begin to feel the sedative effect. If you do not have clove essential oil, you can chew some whole cloves so that the saliva releases the anesthetic function of eugenol.
Another home remedy for sensitive teeth is peppermint tea, which offers pain relief and breath freshening. Preparing it is very easy; you have to cook four leaves of this plant for 10 minutes in a cup of boiling water. Then, let it rest for 5 minutes, serve and drink.
Gargle with warm saltwater
Gargling with salt water is perhaps one of the most famous home remedies for sensitive teeth. The warm temperature of the water and the analgesic properties of sodium make this mixture an anti-inflammatory remedy that reduces the swelling of the gums and thus reduces the sensation of pain.
To make these gargles, you must add two tablespoons of salt to a glass of warm water and stir. It is recommended to rinse your mouth several times with this preparation until all the water is gone. Ideally, gargle in the morning and at night. These gargles can also be done with baking soda, which will help reduce the discomfort caused by this condition, thanks to its desensitizing power.
Other tips for relieving pain from sensitive teeth
- Do not drink soda or chew candy, as the sugar they contain worsens tooth discomfort and reduces enamel.
- Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and special toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
- Floss after every meal.
- Stop smoking; tobacco contains many toxic substances that affect tooth enamel.
- Use a fluoride mouthwash to decrease sensitivity. You can also go to your dentist to perform a unique fluoride bath on your teeth.
- Brush your teeth twice a day, as the accumulation of food between them causes an acidic substance that deteriorates the enamel.
- If you suffer from bruxism, consider using a dental splint.
- Do not brush your teeth with too much pressure to prevent the gums from receding and moving out of place.
- Avoid the martyrdom of feeling pain by reducing the consumption of acidic foods and alcoholic beverages such as wine, as they have greater power to erode teeth.
- If you’ve tried these home remedies for sensitive teeth and can’t find any relief or improvement, visit your dentist for a more thorough checkup.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any kind of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Home remedies for sensitive teeth, we recommend that you enter our Teeth and mouth category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.