The Causes of Tooth Sensitivity and the Benefits of Using Sensitive ToothpasteDid you know that one in five adults has sensitive teeth? (1) This leaves millions of people dealing with chronic tooth pain day after day that could easily be treated with the right sensitive toothpaste combined with an effective oral hygiene routine.
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?There are many causes of tooth sensitivity, and sensitive toothpaste can help protect against painful teeth sensitivity. Identify the cause of your tooth sensitivity and ask your dental professional for advice.
To determine the cause for your sensitivity and whether or not sensitive toothpaste will help, start by asking yourself the following questions.
- What type of toothbrush do you use? Most dental professionals recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush. The soft bristles prevent long-term damage to your enamel. When combined with a sensitive toothpaste such as Crest Pro-Health Sensitive Shield toothpaste, the right toothbrush can help avoid painful discomfort. Crest Pro-Health toothpastes use an active ingredient called stannous fluoride, which is clinically-proven to help protect teeth from painful sensitivity.
- How hard do you brush your teeth? According to a survey conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry among 700 dentists, brushing your teeth too hard is one of the leading contributors of sensitive teeth. (2) So, brush gently to protect against tooth sensitivity and gum damage.
- Do you floss regularly? Flossing is one of the most important components of your oral hygiene routine. Flossing can prevent plaque build-up that leads to gum disease, receding gums and tooth sensitivity. When combined with sensitive toothpaste, it can help protect teeth from painful sensitivity.
- Have you whitened your teeth recently? Products that use peroxide or baking soda can cause sensitivity. (3) Fortunately in many cases, this sensitivity will go away a few days after you stop the whitening treatment.
- Have you undergone any recent dental procedures? Dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, crown placement, root planing or tooth restoration can cause temporary sensitivity that can last for four to six weeks. (3)
- Do you grind your teeth? Grinding your teeth can cause damage to the tooth’s outer layer (enamel) and expose the tooth’s inner layer (dentin), making it more susceptible to sensitivity and decay. (3)
- Do you have plaque build-up and/or gum disease? Both plaque build-up and gum disease can lead to sensitivity. Sensitivity can be treated with the use of a sensitive toothpaste and an effective oral hygiene routine. Look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval when evaluating multi-benefit toothpaste options that include sensitivity —this will help narrow your search significantly.
- How old are you? Interestingly, age plays a factor in tooth sensitivity. Research shows that tooth sensitivity is highest between the ages of 25-30. (3) Using a sensitive toothpaste can protect your teeth and help you avoid discomfort from tooth pain.
- Do you eat a lot of acidic foods? If you like to eat acidic foods such as meats, beans, and dairy products such as eggs, sour cream and yogurt , you may want to use a sensitive toothpaste.
Using the right sensitive toothpaste can be a a convenient and economical way to manage teeth sensitivity, allowing you to continue to indulge in the foods and beverages you enjoy most—including coffee, tea, ice cream and acidic foods.