Ice Cream, Iced Cappuccinos…Ouch!

Summer is here!! Hooray!!

There is nothing more enjoyable on a summer’s day than having a cold iced drink. However, tooth sensitivity can strike at any time taking the pleasure out of such a relaxing moment.

Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common complaints among dental patients. Most teeth sensitivity is often associated with exposed areas of the tooth root due to recession of the gums. Gum recession is the leading cause of teeth sensitivity. The exposed or uncovered root surfaces can become sensitive to extreme temperature changes like hot and cold, sugar (sweets), and touch (tactile sensitivity) during simple tooth brushing or during a dental cleaning. Any tooth sensitivity should always be examined by an oral health care professional, as there can be other dental concerns for tooth sensitivity.

Protecting Your Roots

In a healthy mouth, the roots of our teeth are covered by our gums. For many reasons, the gums around our teeth can recede (pull back) causing the root of the tooth to become uncovered and exposed to the environment of the mouth. The roots of our teeth have microscopic openings on the surface. Each tiny opening is the beginning of a little tubule that leads to the main nerve of the tooth. External triggers such as hot/cold temperature changes, sweets and direct contact with the surfaces cause the back and forth movement of fluid within these tiny tubules resulting in sharp, acute tooth sensitivity that is often short in duration.

How to Prevent Gum Recession

The best way to prevent recession of the gums is to:

  • Always use a soft or extra soft bristled toothbrush, avoid hard or medium textured toothbrushes.
  • Always use a proper toothbrush technique; either an up and down motion (rolling stroke technique) or a circular motion. Avoid brushing your teeth in a horizontal motion (scrubbing type motion).
  • Always use gentle pressure when tooth brushing. Being too aggressive can still cause gum recession, even if you’re using a soft toothbrush and using proper technique. If too much pressure is being used, your toothbrush bristles will be flared out.
  • Have your teeth cleaned regularly/ removing tartar from your teeth helps to prevent gums from receding back.
How to Treat Teeth Sensitivity

At Home:

  • Use a special toothpaste formulated to treat sensitivity, such as Sensodyne
  • Use a mouth rinse containing fluoride, like Listerine Total Care
  • Use a special tooth paste with increased amounts of fluoride

In the Dental Office:

  • Application of fluoride varnish to the sensitive teeth

We hope these tips are able to make a difference with your tooth sensitivity problem. Good luck!

Still In Pain?

If you’re still suffering from tooth sensitivity despite all of the many ways you’ve tried to prevent it, there may be a deeper oral health issue to blame. Contact your Hygiene Clinic in Vaughn today at 905-597-6342. We’ll be happy to help!

Put an end to your tooth sensitivity for once and for all!

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