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Our dentist in Armadale shares 5 ways to manage sensitive teeth

cosmetic dental treatments armadale

Sensitive teeth can be tough to manage. You have to wait for your coffee to cool down, you struggle to eat ice cream, and acidic foods like citrus food make your mouth sting.

Tooth sensitivity is a common cause of discomfort and pain for many people. It can also stop you from enjoying foods that you love:

  • Acidic foods and drinks
  • Too sweet delicacies
  • Cold and hot drinks

Worst of all, it can also lead to improper or poor brushing and flossing habits. 

Fortunately, there are also easy, simple and affordable ways to overcome the discomfort that comes with sensitive teeth. Curious? Our Armadale dentist explains…

First thing’s first: what causes sensitive teeth?

Some people are simply born with it – for most however, their sensitivity arises from worn-out tooth enamel, or gum recession leading to exposed root surfaces.

Enamel

Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth, while the inside is full of sensitive nerves and dental pulp.  

Under normal circumstances, the enamel forms a barrier, protecting the sensitive insides. It’s when this layer is compromised that you could have a case of tooth sensitivity on your hands. 

The thinner and worn out the enamel, the more sensitive your teeth (and the worse your pain will be).

Gums (or Gingivae)

Gums generally cover the root surfaces of teeth. However, sometimes that gum is missing because of gum disease of some sort, or has been scrubbed off by aggressive tooth brushing techniques.

Some other causes of your tooth sensitivity include:

  • Poor brushing habits
  • Grinding teeth
  • Tooth decay
  • Broken or chipped teeth
  • Acid reflux

Each of these can cause damage to your enamel layer, and in turn, make your teeth sensitive.

The good news is that sensitive teeth don\’t have to be something that you just have to grin and bear – there are ways to manage the symptoms!

Our Armadale dentist explains what you can do to deal with sensitive teeth

Be gentle when brushing and flossing

It isn’t just certain foods and temperatures that can cause your teeth to sting – brushing your teeth too hard can also hurt.

If you have sensitive teeth, our dentist in Armadale can help you adjust the way you brush your teeth to minimise sensitivity and pain, with:

  • Specially formulated toothpaste and mouthwash
  • Soft-bristled toothbrushes
  • Adjustments to your brushing technique

These are just some of the ways our Armadale dentist can help reduce sensitivity when you brush your teeth.

Book an appointment with our team, and we’ll see what we can do to make brushing easier for you!

Change your diet

We don’t just mean cutting out food that’s acidic or which makes your teeth sting, either – it’s just as important that you consume food that promotes dental health and which fortifies your teeth.

Specifically, we suggest upping the amount of dairy in your diet. As we all know, dairy is rich in vitamin D and calcium, both of which are crucial for the development of healthy teeth (not to mention, dairy is also super gentle on your teeth).

Of course, it isn’t just cheese and yoghurt that you should be eating more of – if you’re lactose-intolerant, consider eating more broccoli and spinach, or crunchy fruit and veg.

And if you order something that contains acidic ingredients, try to spread them out to minimise the erosion.

Avoid teeth grinding

Grinding and gnashing (bruxism) can damage your teeth, removing the precious layer of enamel. While not quite as common, this is still an issue that might be playing a role in your tooth sensitivity.

The worst part is that for many people, grinding their teeth is a completely unconscious process that happens when they’re:

  • Stressed
  • Nervous
  • Sleeping
  • Poor occlusal relationship between the upper and lower teeth.

Luckily, our Armadale dentist can fix the problem by prescribing you a bite splint that will “take the fall” for your teeth and protect them from the effects of prolonged grinding and gnashing. 

Please note there are other treatment methodologies apart from bite splints, and our Armadale Dentist can prescribe these if needed.

A word on teeth bleaching

Over the years, our cosmetic dentist in Armadale has helped many people get a shinier, whiter, and brighter smile.

We offer a range of different cosmetic dental treatments in Armadale – teeth whitening is one of them.

This particular technique uses various formulations of carbamide peroxide to remove discolouration from your teeth.

The problem is that these methods can cause pain and discomfort in those with sensitive teeth.

If you have sensitive teeth to begin with, we strongly suggest speaking to your Armadale dentist about teeth whitening techniques suitable for you and your sensitive teeth.

As a “rule of thumb” if your teeth can be cleaned using our common ultrasonic cleaning techniques, without sensitivity, then bleaching, in-chair, using custom-made kits or off-the-shelf kits can be used.

Armadale dentist

When should you see an Armadale dentist?

Gum disease and gum problems 

Sometimes, sensitivity isn’t caused by anything wrong with your teeth themselves, but with gum disease.

If you have gum disease, the sensitive roots of your teeth can become exposed, leading to sensitivity when eating and drinking.

If you see the early signs of gum problems,  you need to get in touch with a dentist in Armadale immediately.

Cracked or broken tooth and filling

Worn-out enamel isn’t the only issue that can expose the sensitive nerves and dentine within your teeth. Cracked and broken teeth can have a similar effect.

A broken tooth – whether the result of tooth decay and cavities or an accident – exposes your teeth. If you suspect you’ve got a cracked or broken tooth, you’ll want to get in touch with an emergency dentist in Armadale as soon as you can.

Dental treatment for sensitive teeth

Just as there are many things that you can do to relieve the pain that comes with sensitive teeth, we can help, with a range of dental procedures available at our dental clinic in Armadale.

Mention your sensitivity during your next regular dental appointment and we can suggest a range of different treatments that can help such as:

  • Dental fillings
  • Bite Splint to protect your teeth from grinding
  • Desensitizing solutions (placed by our Armadale dentist)
  • Root canal
  • Toothpaste for sensitive teeth

Depending on your condition, one of these may be able to reduce your pain and help you continue living without dental pain.

Dealing with sensitive teeth? Get help from an expert Armadale dentist!

With the right treatment, our Armadale dentist can help you eat and drink without the fear of pain.

Our mission is simple: to take care of your teeth and gums!

We can also help reduce pain and sensitivity with a customised program that promotes good oral care, especially for sensitive teeth.

Call our dental clinic in Armadale today on (03) 9509 1500 or book online now.

Book an appointment now!

If you have any questions, please feel free to fill out the form below or give us a call. Our friendly and experienced team look forward to hearing from you!

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