Tooth sensitivity is painful and annoying when you just want to enjoy that cold drink on a warm day, or savour your favourite coffee. So how can you get rid of sensitive teeth? Here’s our guide.

What causes sensitive teeth?

Sometimes, teeth can become sensitive seemingly randomly, but here are the most common causes.

Damaged tooth enamel

Enamel is the protective outer layer on your teeth that protects them and the nerves underneath. When your enamel is worn down and damaged, your teeth can become sensitive. Enamel is most commonly damaged by eating or drinking acidic foods or liquids.

Cavities

Cavities in your teeth can cause your nerves to become exposed, causing sensitivity.

Gum disease or receding gums

Gum disease can expose the teeth roots leading to sensitivity. Receding gums, which are more common as we get older, are also a common cause of sensitivity to cold and heat.

How to get rid of sensitive teeth

Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do about sensitive teeth including:

• Buying a toothpaste and mouthwash formulated for sensitive teeth and gums.
• Using a toothbrush for sensitive teeth. There are manual toothbrushes on the market with softer heads and electric toothbrushes with settings and heads specifically for sensitive teeth and gums.
• Visiting your dentist. Depending on the cause, your dentist may treat teeth sensitivity by:
• Applying fluoride to sensitive areas of your teeth to relieve pain and protect the teeth from becoming more sensitive.
• Giving you a prescription high fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen your tooth enamel.
• Filling cavities to stop sensitivity from getting worse.
• Carrying out a root canal treatment. This is usually only done when your teeth are extremely sensitive and exposed nerves are causing pain.

Prevention is better than cure

If you want to get rid of sensitive teeth, prevention is better than cure. Reduce the amount of acidic or sugary drinks you consume, and when you do have them, drink them through a straw so the liquid doesn’t touch the teeth’s surface.

Other than that, brushing and flossing properly can also help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Make sure you don’t brush too hard and always use an up-and-down motion.

For more articles on oral care and the products you need for a bright and healthy smile, check out the rest of our blog.