Excruciatingly sensitive teeth!

confusedmummy

I really need help with my sensitive teeth. They have been ultra sensitive (especially to cold) since I was pregnant with my second child. I have tried various sensitive teeth toothpastes like Sensodyne and various others but have had no relief. According to the dentist I do not have any new cavities and I think my oral hygiene is pretty good (brush twice a day, not too hard on gums etc). I just don't know what I can do. I love fruit but I am finding it difficult to eat my favourites (clementines that have been in the fridge) because the coldness hurts my teeth.

Any suggestions?

Bettie

confusedmummy wrote: »

I really need help with my sensitive teeth. They have been ultra sensitive (especially to cold) since I was pregnant with my second child. I have tried various sensitive teeth toothpastes like Sensodyne and various others but have had no relief. According to the dentist I do not have any new cavities and I think my oral hygiene is pretty good (brush twice a day, not too hard on gums etc). I just don't know what I can do. I love fruit but I am finding it difficult to eat my favourites (clementines that have been in the fridge) because the coldness hurts my teeth.

Any suggestions?

The dentist gave me some liquid to paint on my teeth once as they were so sensitive but I had a reaction and my teeth started turning black so although it worked for sensitivity I stopped using it. Then I bought an electric toothbrush ( braun) and the problem has virtually disappeared.

brook2jack

Have you asked your dentist about the sensitivity there are many treatments they can try?

You need to address the cause of your sensitivity, have you had gum disease and have exposed roots, or do you grind your teeth at night or do you use a whitening toothpaste or strips etc.?
Do you eat slot of citrus fruit, drink fruit juice, drink drinks with bubbles?
Do you have an eating disorder eg buliaemia or suffer from indigestion?
Do you brush too hard or more than twice a day or use a stain removing toothpaste?

Sensodyne etc works very well if you don't use it as a toothpaste but put it on a finger and rub into sensitive teeth last thing at night and don't rinse out. Leave it to soak into the teeth.

confusedmummy

brook2jack wrote: »

Have you asked your dentist about the sensitivity there are many treatments they can try?

You need to address the cause of your sensitivity, have you had gum disease and have exposed roots, or do you grind your teeth at night or do you use a whitening toothpaste or strips etc.?
Do you eat slot of citrus fruit, drink fruit juice, drink drinks with bubbles?
Do you have an eating disorder eg buliaemia or suffer from indigestion?
Do you brush too hard or more than twice a day or use a stain removing toothpaste?

Sensodyne etc works very well if you don't use it as a toothpaste but put it on a finger and rub into sensitive teeth last thing at night and don't rinse out. Leave it to soak into the teeth.

Thank you. I don't drink or smoke. It all started when I was pregnant with my littlest one. I eat quite a bit of citrus fruit but have lessened this as it is too painful. I used to eat about 6 clementines per day but much less now. I brush twice a day with a normal toothbrush. Will give the Sensodyne another try but as you suggest. I am not a bulimic nor suffer from indigestion.

londondent

As brook said, ask your dentist if there is anything he can do in surgery to alleviate the sensativity.

I tend to find my patients get better relief using Colgates sensative Pro-relief toothpaste - use with brushing and also apply by rubbing into the teeth for 1 minute daily before sleeping, and DO NOT rinse your mouth out after brushing.

Could also try GC Tooth mousse, works wonders for people with sensativity - I usually provide this to my patients who are undergoing whitening.

brook2jack

6 clementines a day! That is almost certainly a cause of your problems. Particularly if you suck at the slices. Citrus fruit is very acidic and high in natural sugars.
Do not brush your teeth within an hour of eating and eat no more than one or two citrus products or acidic products a day.

brook2jack

Ps the reason it probably got worse during pregnancy is that because of the pressure of the baby there is more acid reflux from your stomach to your mouth and possibly morning sickness. Pregnancy does not take calcium from teeth.

You need to carefully look at your diet and cut down acid foods/ drinks (fruit juice , smoothies etc). Drink acidic drinks through a straw and cut down on citrus fruit snacks.

Toothsmith

Wouldn't surprise me if there might be a bit of tooth grinding going on as well.

Tooth grinding during your sleep can cause teeth to be very sensitive.

It's a stress related thing, and ife changes like births/deaths/house moves/new jobs etc can all trigger it off.

Get your dentist to check for any signs next time you're in.

belfastgirl23

uh oh on the citrus fruit thing - I love little oranges although at least I gobble them rather than savour them didn't know dentally that was an advantage

I think it was Brook2Jack or toothsmith who mentioned the not rinsing your mouth after using sensodyne (or equivalent) toothpaste and this has made a major difference to my sensitive teeth. Well worth a try.

BTW dentists, any opinions on brand name vs generic? I'm using sainsbury own brand sensitive toothpaste at the minute and it doesn't seem any different to me from sensodyne but interesting you recommend colgate brook2jack! (edit oops sorry, got the wrong dentist )

brook2jack

That wasn't me it was Londondent! I don't particularly recommend anything other than spit don't rinse and rub toothpaste on with a finger on very sensitive teeth.

Acid erosion is a growing problem as people go on health kicks with isotonic drinks (high sugar ,low ph) , smoothies, fruit juices and citrus fruit consumption being a problem along with all fizzy drinks including diet ones.

As previously mentioned stressed people also grind their teeth at night and this also makes the problems worse. If you wear a specially made shield at night for grinding putting a sensitive tooth paste in that can also make a difference.

However one of the growing problems is people using whitening toothpastes, or concoctions or stain removing toothpastes or things bought or advised over the Internet or beauticians to whiten teeth. All of these cause sensitivity , in some cases irreversible.

lessonlearned

I have sensitive teeth and use the Sensodyne left on trick and find it very helpful.

A couple of years ago I had a lot of problems with sensitivity and pain and my dentist referred me to the maxillo-facial unit at the hospital. There was no decay, hygiene was good and they couldn't find any obvious cause but they said that for some reason there seemed to be a lot of inflammation going on.

The specialist prescribed a low dose (10mg) of Amitryptaline. I took it for a month or so and it did the trick. Now as long as I use Sensodyne I'm fine.

However, I make sure that as well as brushing, I also floss and use those interdental brush thingies every day. If I'm naughty and slacken my routine then I soon know about it. I also avoid fruit juices and anything that's likely to be acidic.