Dentinal hypersensitivity

[Anonymous]

The Dos and Don’ts of Brushing

DO

Brush twice daily, with a soft-bristled toothbrush
Use a toothpaste containing fluoride
Brush inner, outer and chewing surfaces with a back-and-forth motion
Hold brush at 45° angle to the gums to clean gumline
With the ‘toe’ of the toothbrush, clean the inner surface of the front teeth using an up-and-down stroke
Brush the tongue gently
Replace toothbrush every three months

DON’T:

Brush too vigorously
Brush too frequently
Use a toothbrush too large to easily clean all surfaces.

Patient Information

Help For Hypersensitive Teeth

Many people notice a painful sensation when they consume a food or beverage that is hot, cold, sweet or sour, or when brushing their teeth, or when a dentist cleans or dries the tooth with an air blast. The teeth may not hurt at any other time. This condition is dentinal hypersensitivity.

Treatment

If you already have dentinal hypersensitivity, you may find relief in any of several brands of toothpastes for sensitive teeth. They contain potassium nitrate plus a fluoride. Potassium nitrate is the only ingredient presently proven to be effective for the problem. To use the toothpaste, you should choose the softest bristle brush you can find (this is also the best advice for patients without dentinal hypersensitivity, unless advised otherwise by a dentist). Place a one-inch strip of toothpaste on the brush and brush for at least one minute twice daily, morning and evening. Make sure that you allow the toothpaste to come into all areas where you noted dental pain. Brush no more than twice daily. Avoid excessive force when brushing.

Do not use these toothpastes for more than four weeks without a diagnosis of dentinal hypersensitivity from a dentist. The reason is that your tooth pain may be due to a much more serious problem, such as a chipped tooth, a cracked filling, erosion underneath a dental filling, bruxism (i.e., tooth grinding), or damage from malocclusion (i.e., an uneven bite). Once a dentist has ruled out these serious problems, you may continue to use the toothpastes for as long as hypersensitivity is present.

Prevention

It is best to avoid causes of dentinal hypersensitivity. Acidic food and drinks can damage tooth enamel. From most acidic to least, some of the foods and drinks to use cautiously include ginger ale, limes/lemons and their juices, wine, cranberry sauce, coffee, vinegar, pickles, cola and citrus-based drinks, apples, rhubarb, raspberries, root beer, relish, strawberries, fruit jams/jellies, peaches, sauerkraut, blueberries, pineapples/pineapple juice, cherries and grapes. It is especially important not to brush right after ingesting these foods, because they strip away the tooth’s protective layer, and you will be brushing naked enamel, which is more prone to damage. Never suck directly on limes/lemons or allow these to be placed into a baby bottle given at night. This permits them to be in prolonged contact with the teeth, causing “nursing bottle mouth” (i.e., there are severe cavities in the section of the mouth bathed by the milk).

Avoid buying small packets of sour, acidic powders or candies coated in them. Their acidity is too high for tooth health.

Do not use smokeless tobacco. Constantly exposing the gums to this toxic substance causes them to recede, exposing the softer tooth sections below the gumline. They are then more prone to damage during brushing.

Follow proper oral hygiene and see your dentist regularly for evaluation and professional care.