I am one of the many Australians who suffer from sensitive teeth. It came on me all of a sudden; one day I was cleaning my teeth and that simple act became so painful I had to stop immediately.
It didn’t get better in the next couple of days, so I went to see the dentist about it.
It’s a common problem, with research showing 44 per cent of Australian households include someone with sensitive teeth or gums.
If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, one thing you could look at doing would be to check out some of the toothpastes that specifically tackle tooth sensitivity. I use Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief, but there are many others on the market that do the same thing.
Read: Is avoiding dementia as simple as brushing your teeth?
Other tips to control sensitive teeth include using a soft toothbrush and avoiding brushing for at least 30 minutes after swallowing acidic foods or drinks.
Here are some other habits that could improve your situation:
Ditch the mouthwash
You may use mouthwash as part of your daily dental routine, but it could be doing more harm than good. Many mouthwash products are highly acidic, which could make your already sensitive teeth much worse.
Eat more dairy
You likely already know that acidic foods can damage your teeth. However, if you still want to eat these foods try following them up with a slice of cheese or a glass of milk to counteract the acid.
Easy on the toothbrush
As well as using a softer toothbrush, also take it easy when you are brushing your teeth. Vigorous scrubbing risks taking away some of the enamel on your teeth. You can do a thorough job without scrubbing away at your chompers as though they are a pan with burnt spaghetti stuck to the bottom.
Have you developed sensitive teeth? What do you do to enjoy ice cream again? We’d love to hear your tips in the comments section below.
