Prevent and Treat Tooth Sensitivity to Avoid Tooth Pain

Tooth sensitivity describes a sudden, sharp pain that may be caused by one of several typical sources. If you often experience pain while eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth, you may have a common, yet easily treatable, form of tooth sensitivity.  

Tooth sensitivity, a relatively common type of tooth pain, can have a variety of causes. With the exception of not caring for the teeth properly, there are few clear risk factors for tooth sensitivity. The condition is found in a wide variety of individuals, and it can be difficult to predict whether any given person will experience sensitivity to certain foods or activities. Some common situations when an individual may experience tooth sensitivity include:

• Eating cold food
• Sudden exposure to cold air
• Eating highly acidic food
• Brushing the teeth or using mouthwash
• Using whitening products, such as white strips, certain types of whitening toothpaste, or professional whitening treatments

There are several options available for preventing and treating tooth sensitivity. Depending on the level of tooth pain that you typically experience, you may use at-home remedies or seek professional treatment. Some of the most common tooth sensitivity treatment options include:

• Avoiding cold or acidic foods
• Using a softer toothbrush
• Avoiding certain types of acidic mouthwash
• Prescription or over-the-counter medication
• Using special toothpaste intended for sensitive teeth, which may be prescription or over-the-counter
• Wearing a mouth guard at night
• Treating underlying oral health problems that may be contributing to tooth sensitivity, such as chipped teeth, gum disease, teeth grinding, or excessive plaque buildup
• Getting crowns or root canals