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Up to the present time, there is yet no conclusive cure for tooth sensitivity, but it will certainly help to pay attention to the following points:

Practicing good oral hygiene to avoid tooth sensitivity is indeed the ideal preventive measure to take. Setting up regular dental visits, flossing and rinsing appropriately to remove plaque and scrubbing teeth properly with a soft or medium-bristled toothbrush twice daily is vital. Furthermore, brushing with protective products such fluoridated toothpaste, and munching sugar-free gum with xylitol as a sweetener is also advocated. Getting around the habits of clenching or grinding teeth can also help to prevent tooth sensitivity.

Depending on the cause of the sensitivity, your dentist may be able to apply superior fluoride gels, varnishes or rinses onto the affected teeth.  If this doesn’t benefit, and you still can’t bear the sensitivity, your dentist can seal off, or put bonding around the neck of the tooth, to cover exposed dentine. Nevertheless, the first option is preferable. If you find yourself grinding your teeth often, your dentist could possibly recommend a mouth guard made to wear at night.

By simply going for a dental check-up once or twice annually, the dentist can give you the appropriate care from the moment tooth sensitivity is identified. You should also try and get adequate sleep and physical exercise to release fretfulness and nervous tension, so that tooth grinding can be reduced.

 

Toothpastes for sensitive teeth certainly go a long way. But then again, not everyone finds that sensitivity toothpastes work. A non-alcohol mouthwash with a high level of fluoride just might do the trick for them. Some of them are specifically formulated to decrease sensitivity. These should be used twice a day after brushing – one of those times should be just before your bedtime, so as to prevent mouthwash from being rinsed away when you consume something. For at least thirty seconds, swish the mouthwash back and forth between the teeth, and don’t rinse with water afterwards.

You might have already noticed several de-sensitizing agents, such as Sensodyne, on the market these days. Such agents work by blocking off the dentinal tubules, so that the nerves in the centre of the tooth don’t get stimulated. While Sensodyne works well as a toothpaste, it works even better as a de-sensitizing agent if you massage the paste or gel directly into the sore spot, and then avoid rinsing it off with water or mouthwash. Bear in mind that it may take several weeks before the desired effect is attained.

Proper tooth brushing technique can’t be emphasized too much. Pick out a toothbrush with a small soft or medium-bristled head. It should be adequate for an adult to use a toothbrush with a top about 2cm. long. Grip the toothbrush gently with finger pressure at an angle against the gum margin, and thoroughly clean the surfaces that are closer to the cheeks and tongue respectively, and then the biting surfaces of the teeth. Avoid using excessive force during tooth brushing, in order to prevent tooth abrasion and gum recession.

Weighty consumption or drinking of highly acidic food and beverage like red and white wine, fruit juices, sports or soft drinks, yoghurt etc., should be avoided in order to prevent the teeth from being heavily eroded.  You might also avoid frequent munching of hard food like bones or nuts if your gums are not in tip-top health.
Contact a dentist or dental hygienist at Water Brook Dental in Washington DC for a dental check-up and other dental needs. Water Brook Dental has two locations in Washington DC. The Columbia Heights location is very  conveniently located to Downtown DC, Northeast DC, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, U-Street Corridor, Mount Pleasant and many other parts of Washington. The Eastern Ave NW location is conveniently located to Downtown Silver Spring, Takoma Park MD, Silver Spring MD, Colesville, and other parts of Maryland as well as Northern Virginia and other parts of Virginia.