Excessively sensitive teeth cause the perception of acute and pungent painful stimuli. Although brief, these events are perceived with considerable violence.
The causes can be different and physiological or pathological. The treatment is different based on the causative agent.
What to do
The first thing to do in case of sensitive teeth is the search for the primary cause. Sometimes it can be identified independently (in front of the mirror), in other cases it is necessary to have a dental examination.
- The specialist could identify a discomfort that is normal:
- Fleece gingival retraction.
- Erosion of the enamel.
- Individual preparation.
- Or a pathological complication:
- Caries.
- Tooth crack.
- Denudation of tooth roots and periodontal pockets.
- In case of caries, tooth cracking, periodontal pockets or denudation of the roots the only solution is dental surgery.
- In the case of mild gingival retraction, it may be sufficient to change the technique, the frequency of cleaning and change the type of brush or floss:
- Accurately determining which brushing technique is correct is not easy. The recommendations change periodically.
- The movement is vertical (for both sides of the arches), never horizontal. It starts from the collar of the teeth and proceeds towards the apex, without crossing the opposite arch.
- A horizontal movement is applied only on the masticatory surfaces of premolars and molars.
- The optimal frequency of cleaning is after each meal.
- Type of dental floss: it can be waxed or not waxed, depending on the use (removal of tartar or plaque, neighboring or crooked teeth, etc.). It is necessary to be very careful not to damage the gums by making them bleed.
- Type of toothbrush: the most effective is a short head, with soft, variable-length bristles.
- In case of enamel erosion:
- Consume low acid foods.
- Wash the teeth after at least half an hour after eating and not immediately, to avoid the action of the acids contained in the food.
- Use mildly toothpaste.
- Treat any gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Avoid self-induced vomiting (typical of certain eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa).
- Prevent rubbing between the teeth induced by nocturnal grinding thanks to the use of a bite.
What NOT to do
- Ignore dental sensitivity, especially when very intense and localized.
- Promote the onset of caries:
- Bad diet.
- Clean the teeth inadequately or incorrectly.
- Do not cure any tooth decay.
- To promote tooth cracking:
- Breaking hard and tough foods.
- Using teeth to cut, break or tighten objects.
- Do not cure tooth cracks.
- Promote inflammation and retraction of the gums.
- Make the cleaning operation wrong.
- Consume foods that can mechanically damage them.
- Ignore gum pathologies (infections, deep pockets, etc.).
- Compromising enamel integrity:
- Eat lots of acidic foods.
- Brush your teeth immediately after meals.
- Use very aggressive toothpastes and whitening treatments.
- Neglecting regurgitation from GORD.
- Practice self-induced vomiting.
- Neglecting the night grinding.
- Abusing alcohol.
- To smoke.
What to eat
- To prevent the causes of hypersensitivity:
- Foods that prevent or do not favor tooth decay:
- Poor carbohydrates and simple sugars. Obviously, it is not advisable to follow a hypoglucidic diet with the sole intent of preventing tooth decay.
- With non-cariogenic polyalcohols: some are synthetic, such as xylitol, and are used to sweeten foods and chewing gum.
- Sugar-free chewing-gums and xylitol can also help clean teeth.
- Foods that favor the maintenance of the enamel:
- Foods rich in calcium and phosphorus: these two minerals are largely contained in milk and derivatives. They are natural constituents of hydroxyapatite, an essential material for bones and teeth.
- Foods rich in fluorine: it is necessary for the structuring of the external enamel of the teeth. They contain a good amount: fishery products, wine, tea, fruit juices etc.
- Foods that do not cause tooth cracks and gum recession: they are all those without hard, non-chewable bodies (seeds, bones, etc.) or with a tough coating (skin, skin, etc.). If present, it is good practice to eliminate them before chewing the bite.
- To avoid the symptoms of hypersensitivity, prefer:
- Food and drink at room temperature.
- Non-acid foods and beverages.
- Foods and drinks for nothing or little sweet and not sticky.
What NOT to Eat
- To prevent the causes of hypersensitivity:
- Foods predisposing to caries:
- Excessively rich in carbohydrates: all the bacteria-fermentable glucides are predisposing to the onset of caries. Even complex ones, consisting mainly of starch, play a fundamental role. In all, glucides should represent about 45-60% of the total energy.
- Excessively rich in simple sugars: they are the most harmful and are found in all sweets but also in fruit. A small part is hidden in the vegetables. The total quantity should be 10-16%.
- Foods that wear the enamel: in addition to the previous ones (with the participation of bacterial plaque), the acid ones are involved: citrus fruits (grapefruit, oranges, lemons etc), fruit juices, juices, carbonated beverages (cola, gazzosa, orange), tomatoes, vinegar etc. The effect is amplified by dental cleaning close to the meal.
- Foods that promote tooth cracks:
- Oilseeds with shell: hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, pine nuts, etc.
- Fruit with seeds or seeds: they can be chewed by mistake (plum, cherry, papaya seed etc.) or voluntarily (kiwi seeds, grapes, etc.).
- Shelled shellfish: in some recipes, for example spaghetti with seafood or seafood soups, it may happen that the shell of bivalve molluscs (mussels, clams, oysters, etc.) or gastropods (sea snails) breaks and ends up in the hollow oral.
- Meat on the bone: biting the bone can break the teeth. It is the case of: ribs, Florentine, bacon and coppone with bone, chops etc.
- Very hard foods: the most striking case is the almond brittle or dried chestnuts.
- Foods that favor gum recession: by mechanical action, they are all those involved in the break. We could also add whole fruits with thick peel, such as apples, pears and peaches.
- To reduce the symptoms of sensitive teeth:
- Cold foods and drinks: ice creams, popsicles, granitas, milkshakes, smoothies, frozen desserts, frozen desserts and cakes, water and other beverages etc.
- Hot food and drinks: broth, fried, roasted on the grill, hot chocolate, tea, herbal tea etc.
- Acid foods and beverages: cola, orange juice, gazzosa, juices, natural fruit juices, lemonade, vinaigrette and citronette based condiments, citrus fruit desserts (grapefruit, lemon) etc.
- Sweet foods and beverages: candies, hazelnut spread, honey, condensed milk, spoon desserts, jam, packaged fruit juices, caramel, marshmallows, meringues etc.
Natural Cures and Remedies
- Use of fluoride-based toothpastes and mouthwashes and other substances that can improve the integrity of the enamel.
- Use of fluoride gel to spread two or three times a day on the teeth without rinsing.
- Composition of natural toothpastes based on herbs and rich in essential oils.
- Water consumption enriched with fluorine.
Pharmacological care
There are no drugs that can treat sensitive teeth.
If the cause is severe infectious, the dentist may choose to prescribe an antibiotic. In this case the therapy is not aimed at reducing sensitivity, but at treating the infection.
Prevention
- Follow a proper diet.
- Avoid large dental traumas.
- Avoid repeated microtraumas.
- Treat the gums after any periodontal surgery.
- Brush the teeth:
- With appropriate frequency and intensity.
- In a technically correct manner.
- With an intact and suitable toothbrush.
- Pass the floss correctly, without damaging the gums.
- Avoid or treat gum inflammation, whatever the cause.
- Treat the integrity of the enamel.
Medical Treatments
Medical treatments to treat sensitive teeth are aimed at eliminating the underlying cause:
- Filling in case of caries.
- Endodontic treatment, adhesive restoration, onlay or aesthetic overlay in case of fracture.
- Scaling and periodontal surgery (gingival) in case of periodontal pockets and denudation of the roots.
- Professional application of fluorinated resins that seal the dentinal tubules in case of physiological hypersensitivity or enamel erosion.
- Devitalization, but this is an inadvisable intervention and should be avoided.
