How to deal with sensitive teeth at home?
Teeth sensitivity is something many of us suffer from. Since our teeth are super-sensitive, almost anything may cause sensitivity like not brushing teeth well, brushing teeth for too long or too many times, acidic and sour food, sweet food, teeth grinding, tooth decay, cavity, recent dental work, etc. Thus, preventing teeth sensitivity is difficult. However, there are few home remedies which can help you to deal with the dental condition.
Tooth sensitivity : Causes
A tooth can become sensitive when the enamel (protective layer) wears down. This makes the dentin underneath more permeable, allowing liquids and gases pass through easily.
Below dentin, the dental pulp is present that contains many blood vessels and nerve endings. When substances pass through the dentin to this nerve ending, a person experiences pain. Very hot or very cold substances act as a trigger to pain.
The following can all wear down enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity:
gingivitis
tooth decay
tooth whitening
excessive teeth brushing or brushing too hard
eating acidic foods
grinding or clenching the teeth
Home remedies for sensitive teeth
1. A solution of salt and water
How to stop tooth pain fast
A solution of salt and water is one of the most common treatments of dental problems. It helps in maintaining the pH balance of the mouth to create a more alkaline environment where harmful bacteria struggles to survive.
All you need to do is add two teaspoons of salt in warm water, stir it well and rinse your mouth twice a day with it in order to reduce tooth sensitivity and pain.
2. Old traditional way of Oil pulling
Home remedies for sensitive teeth
It is an Ayurveda technique and can be tried with sesame and coconut oil to heal tooth sensitivity. It involves swishing oil around the mouth for several minutes before spitting it out.
3. Chewing Guava leaves
Guava leaves have properties that are anti-inflammatory and reduce tooth sensitivity and toothache.
Just chew few leaves for 2-3 minutes and then rinse your mouth. If you don’t want to chew it, add 4-5 leaves and a cup of water in a utensil and boil it for few minutes. Add a sprinkle of salt and use it as a mouthwash.
4. Sipping Green tea
Green tea is helpful for oral health too. If you are facing tooth sensitivity, have green tea without sugar and use it as a mouthwash twice a day. It will reduce inflammation and strengthen teeth.
5. Paste of Garlic
Well, nobody likes the smell of garlic from the mouth but garlic can certainly help you out with tooth sensitivity. It is an anti-bacterial agent and a natural anesthetic that can relieve you from tooth sensitivity.
Make a paste of two-three garlic, add few drops of oil and a pinch of salt in it. Now apply this paste on the affected teeth or tooth. Let it stay for a few minutes and then rinse the tooth with warm saltwater.
6. Apply Clove oil
Use clove oil as a home remedy to relieve toothache
Clove oil helps numb pain while keeping teeth and gums healthy. From a long while, cloves have been used for their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anesthetic properties that treat oral infections and reduce pain.
The best way to use it is by mixing it up with almond or coconut oil and applying on the affective tooth. After a while, it can be washed away with warm water.
7. Consume Honey with warm water
Honey has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties which treat wounds. When faced with tooth sensitivity, rinse your mouth with a solution of warm water and a teaspoon of honey. It will heal the pain.
8. Massage with Turmeric
Turmeric can be used in anti-inflammatory treatments. Turmeric also helps in wound healing.
To alleviate the pain of sensitive tooth, you can massage ground turmeric on the affected tooth. Another alternative is taking half teaspoon turmeric, with a similar amount of salt and mustard oil. Mix this together and apply the paste on the affected part twice a day for pain relief.
How Can You Prevent Teeth Sensitivity?
Teeth sensitivity can be quite painful and can affect your daily life. Therefore preventing it is best. Here are a few tips by which you can stop your teeth from getting sensitive.
Toothpaste which is for sensitive teeth contains potassium nitrate. This helps to block the tubules in the dentine which have been exposed due to the wearing off of the teeth enamel. However, regular and continuous use will only help.
Brushing your teeth the right way can help you to prevent sensitive teeth. Brush your teeth with soft bristles and brush gently for two minutes. However, brushing for too long may wear away the tooth enamel and cause sensitive tooth.
Consult your dentist for pain barriers that are done to prevent sensitivity in your teeth. Getting a fluoride varnish or plastic resins can help cure teeth sensitivity for some time until it does not wear out after a few months or a year.
Put a mouth guard at night or change the way you sleep if you grind your teeth at night. If you have a habit of grinding the teeth when tense or angry, be alert and conscious to stop yourself from doing so.
Try to prevent your mouth from getting dry especially when you are down with a cold and breathing through your mouth since you have blocked nostrils. Having a dry mouth causes oral infections resulting in dental problems. Drink a lot of water and avoid too much intake of coffee and tea to overcome this problem.
Rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain water after eating or drinking something. You may also use home-made mouth wash to rinse your mouth twice a day to aid oral hygiene.
Avoiding acidic food and caffeinated beverages which may cause tooth decay and other dental problems.
If you suffer from acid reflux, consult a doctor and get it treated at the earliest since acidity erodes the enamel from your teeth and causes sensitivity.