Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth Sensitivity
Eat and Drink without Pain
The annoying thing about tooth sensitivity is that even though it doesn't last long, its lightning bolt of pain strikes when you least expect it: sipping an ice-cold glass of lemonade on the front porch, sharing a cup of cappuccino with an old friend or laughing out loud as you ice-skate with your kids.
The trouble occurs when something riles the nerve endings of your teeth.
Remember how you learned in grade school that enamel is the hardest substance in the human body? Well, when the enamel gets worn away, through overly aggressive brushing, dental work, tooth grinding or acidic foods or drinks (such as lemons or soft drinks), you can expose a network of fluid-filled tunnels called dentin tubules that lead right into the nerve of your tooth.
What triggers the pain varies greatly from woman to woman, says Carole Palmer, R.D., Ed.D., professor and co-head of the Division of Nutrition and Preventive Dentistry in the Department of General Dentistry at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston. Sweets might make one woman jump out of her pumps, while hot or cold foods or tart or acidic foods might be the undoing of another, she says.
STOPGAP MEASURES FOR TOOTH PAIN
"The obvious solution is to stay away from what bothers you," says Dr. Palmer. "If hot and cold foods bother you, stay away from extremes."
Be sure to seek dental care to resolve the problem, since tooth sensitivity isn't normal, says Dr. Palmer. In the meantime, here are some ways that you can enjoy life's simple pleasures without the stabbing intrusion of unexpected pain.
Go easy with the toothbrush. All too often, women brush their teeth vigorously, as if they're scrubbing a floor, says Diane Schoen, dental hygienist, clinical assistant professor and coordinator of the Preventive Dentistry Program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark. Gentle and thorough is a better way to remove the
sticky buildup of plaque-ridden bacteria that you're trying to get rid of, she says. Proper technique, not elbow grease, is key.
When To See A Doctor If one of your teeth is extremely sensitive to either hot or cold pressure and the rest of your teeth aren't, you might have a cavity or a tooth fracture, says Mahvash Navazesh, D.M.D., associate professor and vice-chair in the Department of Dental Medicine and Public Health at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in Los Angeles. In such a case, see your dentist. If you have generalized tooth sensitivity that doesn't go away after a few weeks, see your dentist. She can give you a prescription fluoride treatment that you can apply at home to toughen up your tooth surfaces and, if necessary, she can bond your teeth to protect your nerve endings from external irritants, says Dr. Navazesh. If your discomfort is more widespread because of habits like grinding or clenching, a dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to wear at night or make sure that you don't have an uneven tooth or filling that is exerting extra pressure on a nearby spot in your mouth, Dr. Navazesh says.
"Nobody should walk around with sensitive teeth on a regular basis," she says.
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Trade in your toothbrush for a softer model. "I generally recommend a soft brush for everyone, and extra soft for women who already have abrasion," says Schoen.
Switch toothpastes. Women commonly fall into the trap of buying toothpastes that promise to whiten and brighten their teeth to a sparkling sheen, says Geraldine Morrow, D.M.D., past president of the American Dental Association, a member of a American Association of Women Dentists and a dentist in Anchorage, Alaska. The problem with some of those toothpastes is that they are so abrasive and harsh that they can actually undermine the enamel on your teeth, says Dr. Morrow. Instead, choose a brand made for sensitive teeth (like Sensodyne). They contain one of two protective ingredients--strontium chloride or potassium nitrate--that over time will block painful sensations being sent to your tooth's nerves.
"These products work pretty well," says Caren Barnes, R.D.H., professor of clinical dentistry at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in Birmingham.
Dab on some fluoride. The reason dentists apply a powerful fluoride gel to sensitive teeth is to toughen them. "At home, use a heavily fluoridated toothpaste, approved by the American Dental Association, and rub it into the sensitive areas of your teeth several times a day," says Dr. Morrow.
Watch what you eat. A diet soda with a lemon twist may save you some calories, but it could cost you your enamel. If your teeth are sensitive, limit your intake of highly acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits and beverages like soft drinks, says Dr. Morrow. Drink skim milk or water instead.