Sand_Issue_September-2018

22 wellness
focus
Caring For
Sensitive Teeth
Tooth sensitivity is usually
triggered by hot, cold, sweet or
acidic food or drinks. There’s a
sharp, intense shooting pain that
goes deep into the tooth. It can last
anywhere between a few minutes
to an hour or so. If the pain lasts
more than a few seconds, get it
checked by your dentist as soon as
possible to rule out serious dental
problem.
What causes tooth
sensitivity?
Acidic food and drinks: Acids
in foods and drinks containing
oranges, lemons and tomatoes can
gradually erode tooth enamel to
expose the dentine.
Tooth decay: Cavities allow
food, drink and cold air access to
the sensitive layers of the tooth,
evoking a sharp shooting pain.
Plaque: Having plaque on
the root surface of your teeth
can produce sensitivity. Plaque
bacteria produce toxins and acids,
which enter the tubules (tiny
holes) in the exposed dentine,
which is the layer below the
enamel surface of the tooth, and
stimulate the nerve endings deeper
within the tooth.
Gum issues: Gum disease can
lead to receded gums; so can
over-brushing or the using a hard
toothbrush. When this happens, it
exposes sensitive root surface of
the teeth.
Enamel wear and tear:
Chewing, tooth grinding and
brushing too hard can wear
away enamel, exposing
the dentine underneath.
Cracks in the enamel
of the tooth let food
particles and liquids
reach the deeper
layers of the teeth.
Bacteria can thrive
here and cause
inflammation.
Tooth-whitening products:
Whitening products containing
baking soda or peroxide can cause
damage to tooth enamel and result
in tooth sensitivity.
What can you do?
• Use a soft toothbrush that will
minimise abrasion.
• Use a toothpaste that is
specifically meant for sensitive
teeth. Some toothpastes
for sensitive teeth contain
potassium nitrate, an ingredient
that can alleviate tooth
sensitivity.
• Cut down on acidic foods and
drinks.
• Avoid brushing teeth for 20-30
minutes after having acidic
foods and drinks. This will allow
the saliva in your mouth to
restore the correct pH balance
in the mouth and start repairing
the damage caused by the acidic
food and drink.
• Avoid teeth grinding because
it wears away and cracks tooth
enamel. Talk to your dentist if
teeth-grinding is an issue for
you.
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