Sensitive Teeth ToothPaste

Sensitive Teeth ToothPaste

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by several factors, including the loss of tooth enamel and receding gum lines. A tooth can become sensitive when its dentin layer and the root get exposed. Toothpastes that are specifically designed for sensitive teeth basically include certain ingredients, that help relieve the pain and sensitivity, and build up a protective layer on the exposed dentin layer. A human tooth has four parts - enamel, dentin, cementum, and dental pulp, of which tooth enamel is the hardest part that covers the dentin layer. On the other hand, the cementum is the bony structure that covers the root of a tooth, while the pulp is the central part of a tooth made up of living connective tissues and cells. A tooth becomes sensitive when its inner dentin layer gets exposed. This can happen due to several factors, of which the most common factor is harsh brushing.

Sensitive toothpaste is an oral care product that is used by people who have sensitivity in their mouths, particularly around their gums. The purpose of sensitive toothpaste is to make it more comfortable for people to take care of their teeth, particularly when brushing their teeth, despite sensitive gums. There are a number of toothpaste companies that carry products for sensitive teeth. There are some toothpaste brands that only sell sensitive toothpaste.

Some people with extremely sensitive gums find that even using sensitive toothpaste and the right kinds of toothbrushes and dental floss leads to pain. These people may find that it is necessary to use a numbing gel on the gums prior to brushing. These products are usually made for babies who are teething, but have the same or similar results on the gums of adults. By rubbing the numbing gel all over the gums prior to brushing, the sensitivity can be managed until after the teeth have been brushed and flossed.

Those who have sensitive gums may have negative reactions to activities other than just brushing their teeth. Sometimes they also have a sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages. Some kinds of sensitive toothpaste are meant to help ease this kind of sensitivity as well. Again, if the sensitive toothpaste is not sufficient, the numbing gel can be used.

While sensitive gums can often be managed by using sensitive toothpaste, it is important to report this condition to a dentist. Sensitive gums may be caused by one's natural sensitivities or may be caused by age. There are also serious dental health issues, however, that might be indicated by sore or sensitive gums. For this reason, it is important to rule out any serious dental issues with a dentist before treating sensitive gums with over-the-counter products.

Even if the gums are feeling very sensitive, it is important to maintain regular oral hygiene practices. Brushing and flossing every day is an important part of dental care. In order to make these practices easier for people with sensitive gums, products like sensitive toothpaste, as well as toothbrushes with soft bristles, can help. There are also brands of dental floss that are more comfortable for people with sensitive gums. Avoiding these practices because of sensitive gums, however, can lead to further dental problems and the pain that comes with rotten or unhealthy teeth and gums.

Harsh brushing wears away the tooth enamel, and exposes the dentin layer that contains the nerve fibers. As a result, when something hot or cold, or sweets and acidic foods are consumed, one can experience sudden intense pain. Gum recession can also expose the root of a tooth, and make it more sensitive. Apart from these, some other important causes of tooth sensitivity are, erosion or the loss of tooth enamel caused by acidic foods, gum diseases or a buildup of plaque and tartar, teeth bleaching, tooth grinding or clenching, and a cracked tooth.

Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
Tooth sensitivity is quite a common problem among a large section of the population, due to which, a great many dental care products have been developed over the years. The first toothpaste developed for sensitive teeth was 'Sensodyne'. Denquel is another leading brand that produces toothpastes for sensitive teeth. Nowadays, a number of different toothpastes are available that can relieve the symptoms of tooth sensitivity. These toothpastes basically contain potassium nitrate and strontium chloride, that can restore the tooth enamel or prevent its further erosion.

Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth
Symptoms of sensitive teeth unlike symptoms of other health conditions or illnesses are very few. On consuming something hot, cold, sour or acidic, a person can be left with anything from a mild twinge of pain to a severe electric sensation radiating through the mouth. Mostly, it is the sugar content in the beverage or food item that causes the pain. If you encounter slight tingling sensation or a sudden flash of pain after eating something sweet, cold, hot or sour, then you have sensitive teeth.

At times one can feel some pain shooting through one's tooth or teeth on accidentally biting on something hard. The pain may also occur on biting in a particular manner. This discomfort can last for a few minutes to several hours, thereby causing one to be irritable all day long. The pain commonly appears intermittently, however, if the pain is constant, it may indicate some serious underlying condition. Besides eating and drinking, one may experience sensitization even on simply inhaling cold air. This will be more obvious during the winters.

Sometimes one can feel a sharp sense of pain and irritation on touching the sensitive tooth with the other teeth or tongue. Moreover, some may even end up wincing once in a way while brushing or flossing. If on drinking hot water, one experiences a sense of pain, then this may be due to the death of nerve cells in the tooth. If the sensitivity is caused by tooth decay, then besides the pain arising intermittently, one may also be able to see spots on the teeth. These spots are nothing but holes or pits and are areas of tooth decay. However, this is only seen when the tooth is decaying and not otherwise. To understand how severe or critical the tooth sensitivity is, we will need to look at the different factors leading to sensitivity of teeth.

Factors Conducing to Teeth Sensitivity
As revealed in a survey conducted by dentists across the globe, it was found that vigorous brushing of teeth is one major factor conducing to teeth sensitivity. Aggressive brushing causes the layer of enamel sealing the teeth to wear off, thereby exposing the inner dentin layer. When a person consumes hot or cold beverages, etc. the hollow tubules in the dentin of the tooth permit passage of hot or cold temperatures, thereby stimulating the nerves present in the tooth. Because these nerves get stimulated, one experiences pain and discomfort while eating or drinking hot or cold food items. Besides aggressive brushing, poor oral hygiene, tooth decay, crack in the tooth, temporomandibular joint disorder, gum recession, teeth grinding or periodontal disease, can result in sensitive teeth. Certain toothpaste brands, teeth whitening products, etc. can also lead to sensitive teeth.

Treatment
Depending on the severity of the condition, the dentist may recommend the use of a soft bristle toothbrush. A soft bristle toothbrush will reduce the friction caused on the teeth. Moreover, it will also reduce access to the nerve, thereby reducing the pain. He may also recommend use of a sensitive teeth gel or fluoride rinse to strengthen the teeth enamel. To keep the pain from returning one will have to use a sensitivity protection toothpaste. However, this toothpaste is not some magic paste. It takes several weeks to alleviate the pain. If tooth decay is the cause, then respective treatment will be carried out to deal with the infected tooth.

How to Prevent Teeth from Becoming Sensitive?
People with sensitive teeth are those who realize their teeth are on the sensitive side, can carry out some simple measures to prevent their teeth from becoming too sensitive. Regular flossing and brushing to maintain proper oral hygiene also helps prevent onset of tooth sensitivity. While brushing, make sure your brush is held at a 45-degree angle. Gently brush your teeth in a circular motion or up and down fashion. Never brush in a crisscross manner. Moreover, never hold the toothbrush in the palm of your hand. Use your fingertips to hold the brush. Since your teeth are sensitive, avoid consumption of acidic beverages like cold drinks, citrus drinks, etc. The acid in these beverages corrodes the tooth enamel. If at all you choose to have them, use a straw to sip the drink. This reduces the surface area of the acid's contact in the mouth. Some people even hold the beverage in their mouth before swallowing it. Avoid this as well.

Do not ignore sensitive teeth symptoms during the initial stages. If you experience pain after drinking something hot or cold, then consult your dentist and confirm if the pain has been caused by tooth sensitivity. If yes, then take precautionary measures to prevent painful situations in the future. The proverb 'a stitch in time, save nine' is applicable here!

How Does It Work?
As mentioned already, a toothpaste specifically manufactured for sensitive teeth contains potassium nitrate and strontium chloride. Potassium nitrate is a salt that desensitizes the nerve roots, and thereby prevents the transmission of the pain stimuli to the pulp and the root of the tooth. As the pain signal does not reach the root of the tooth, tooth sensitivity gets reduced.

On the other hand, strontium chloride helps cover up the tiny pores present on the dentin layer, so that the pain stimuli cannot reach the nerves. So, both the ingredients help relieve the symptoms of tooth sensitivity by desensitizing the nerves, and building up a protective barrier on the dentin layer.

Some people with extremely sensitive gums find that even using sensitive toothpaste and the right kinds of toothbrushes and dental floss leads to pain. These people may find that it is necessary to use a numbing gel on the gums prior to brushing. These products are usually made for babies who are teething, but have the same or similar results on the gums of adults. By rubbing the numbing gel all over the gums prior to brushing, the sensitivity can be managed until after the teeth have been brushed and flossed.

Those who have sensitive gums may have negative reactions to activities other than just brushing their teeth. Sometimes they also have a sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages. Some kinds of sensitive toothpaste are meant to help ease this kind of sensitivity as well. Again, if the sensitive toothpaste is not sufficient, the numbing gel can be used.

While sensitive gums can often be managed by using sensitive toothpaste, it is important to report this condition to a dentist. Sensitive gums may be caused by one's natural sensitivities or may be caused by age. There are also serious dental health issues, however, that might be indicated by sore or sensitive gums. For this reason, it is important to rule out any serious dental issues with a dentist before treating sensitive gums with over-the-counter products.

Do not ignore sensitive teeth symptoms during the initial stages. If you experience pain after drinking something hot or cold, then consult your dentist and confirm if the pain has been caused by tooth sensitivity. If yes, then take precautionary measures to prevent painful situations in the future. The proverb 'a stitch in time, save nine' is applicable here!

Myotcstore Related Products:

Senzzzzz Away Tooth Desensitizer - 1 ea

Toms of Maine Botanically Bright Whitening Toothpaste, Spearmint - 4.7 oz

Sensodyne iso-active toothpaste, multi-action - 4.3 Oz

Aquafresh sensitive maximum strength triple protection fluoride toothpaste - 5.6 oz

Colgate Sensitive Enamel Protect Toothpaste - 6 oz