Tips That Can Help Ease Sensitive Teeth Pain

There are very few pains that you can feel by just thinking about them. The tooth pain that comes from biting into a cold or hot meal when you have sensitive enamel is certainly one of them. 

Are you wincing when simply imagining it? If so, you know the urgency behind trying to make that sharp, stabbing sensation stop fast! 

What’s behind these painful problems, and how can you ease the effects of sensitive teeth? Let’s take a bite into this topic here.

Is There Any Way to Stop Sensitive Teeth Pain Immediately?

Your teeth are built in four main layers: enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp. Enamel is the harder-than-bone layer that protects the three inner, more sensitive areas. Cementum is a hard connective tissue designed to cover the tooth root and “cement” your tooth into place. 

The next layer, dentin, is porous and made of microscopic tubules. When it isn’t protected, those tubules let heat, cold, acids, sweets, and sticky foods into the next layer, the pulp, where all the nerves of your tooth are located.

Dentin hypersensitivity — the official term for sensitive teeth — happens for multiple reasons. The fix for your tooth pain depends on the cause.

But if you’re looking for a quick way to temporarily stop the pain, these over-the-counter tricks and home remedies may help until you can solve the issue permanently:

• Desensitizing toothpaste, available OTC or from your dentist, uses ingredients like stannous fluoride and potassium nitrate to inhibit those sensations from getting to your nerves. Using this toothpaste regularly can even strengthen your enamel and reduce sensitivity long-term.

• Honey, mixed with warm water, has natural antibacterial agents that provide myriad effects, including relief from sensitive teeth.

• Saltwater rinses are the generational tried-and-true remedy for toothaches, and you probably have salt on hand. The saltwater removes lodged debris and reduces inflammation. Take ½ teaspoon and dissolve it in warm water. Rinse for 30 seconds, spit, and enjoy the results!

• Hydrogen peroxide rinses work similarly to the saltwater option. Mix equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide and use as a mouthwash 2-3 times per week for the best results.

• Capsaicin, the spicy ingredient in chili peppers, can be crushed and used as a paste to numb the nerve endings in your tooth.

• Vanilla extract, applied directly to the tooth or diluted with water and used as a rinse, has numbing properties.

• Clove oil can be dipped onto a cotton swab and applied to the painful area for instant numbing.

• Turmeric paste takes this multi-beneficial spice and uses its anti-inflammatory properties to relieve toothaches.

• Coconut oil combined with warm water is a gentle way to soothe gum inflammation and reduce discomfort.

These easy and effective at-home remedies minimize your sensitive teeth pain but won’t fix the problem. To ensure the next time you bite into your favorite ice cream or enjoy a sweet treat you won’t feel the stabbing pain of a toothache, you’ll want to get to the bottom of the issue.

How Can You Treat Long-Term Sensitive Teeth?

We all occasionally have sensitive teeth when we bite into our food wrong or when something cold hits us just right. Sometimes, dental treatments can also temporarily increase tooth sensitivity.

But if it happens more than once in a blue moon, there’s a problem under the surface. Ignoring it will likely mean that whatever could have been an easy fix becomes a serious (read: painful) oral health complication.

Chronic sensitive teeth usually happens through enamel erosion, when the protective, hard outer layer wears away. This can be the result of aggressive brushing or using a hard-bristled toothbrush.

It also happens when your diet contains acidic or sweet foods and drinks (soda, candy, and citrus are the main culprits). However, there could be another, more serious reason for your eroded enamel.

Bruxism

Better known as teeth grinding, bruxism is a chronic sleep movement disorder characterized by jaw clenching and gnashing teeth. This common condition is frequently associated with stress, but it can also be genetic, a side effect of medication, or due to one of a few other various reasons.

Most people don’t realize they’re grinding their teeth until it’s pointed out to them by their partner or dentist, or when the symptoms become too painful to ignore. Bruxism symptoms can include:

• Morning headaches
• Fatigue
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Teeth sensitivity

Solutions

Luckily, there’s an easy way to minimize the damage of bruxing: a night guard. Custom-made night guards (like those we fabricate at JS Dental Lab) keep the upper and lower teeth from touching, preventing the grinding movement from doing any damage. 

However, the only way to stop bruxing entirely is to figure out the underlying cause of this condition. Stress-induced bruxism can be helped with psychosocial techniques such as relaxation activities and psychotherapy. Other possible causes of bruxism can be explored with your healthcare provider.

TMJ

TMJ disorders are a general term for over 30 different conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The TMJ connects your jaw and skull. When this delicate tissue is inflamed or there’s dysfunction in it, you may notice teeth sensitivity.

The painful sensation is likely due to the clenching and grinding that happen with a TMJ disorder. When the joint is out of place or swollen, the jaw becomes misaligned, creating uneven pressure when you bite. Eventually, this wears away the protective layer of tooth enamel.

Solutions

Depending on the severity of your temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), you may benefit from a custom-made night guard. However, more severe TMDs require the help of a specialist and specific occlusal splints designed to address the jaw misalignment.

Tooth Decay

Got cavities? Tooth decay is an almost surefire way to expose the dentin and boost sensitivity. Left untreated, those tiny holes in your teeth that could have been easily treated with sealants grow bigger, leading to root canals or tooth extractions.

Solutions

Good oral hygiene is the best way to avoid tooth decay. According to the American Dental Association, your oral health routine should consist of brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Follow up with floss, and consider using mouthwash to rinse away any leftover debris.

Periodontitis 

Lack of care for your oral health can cause gum recession, which leaves the sensitive roots exposed. The result? Severe pain and discomfort because your nerves are constantly hit with sensations. 

Gum disease comes in progressive stages. Gingivitis, the early stage, is reversible if treated early enough. Keep up with your oral health regimen, and you can stop it from returning. But if you ignore gingivitis, it turns into periodontitis, a permanent form of gum disease that causes long-term health complications. 

Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. The infections can increase your risk of medical issues such as cardiovascular disease and Type II diabetes.

Solutions

Chronic gum disease is manageable with ongoing dental care. Regular checkups and cleanings keep the bacteria from spreading into the bloodstream and allow your dentist to monitor the disease’s progression. Severe cases of periodontitis may need a gum graft to keep your tooth roots from being exposed and to reduce sensitivity.

When Should You Seek Professional Help for Sensitive Teeth?

Ahhhh, the pain-relieving properties of those at-home remedies can be just what the doctor ordered!

But relying on them to get you through persistent toothaches can be more dangerous than you realize. Your sensitive teeth are sending out pain signals telling you there’s something wrong that needs to be fixed.

Here are some reasons you should make an appointment with your dentist:

Long-Lasting Sensitivity

Always seek professional dental care when you’ve had sensitive teeth for more than a few days and don’t have an obvious possible cause, such as a recent dental procedure or use of teeth whitening products. Whitening products open the dentin’s pores and are notorious for increasing teeth sensitivity. 

Periodontitis

If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontitis, sensitive teeth may be something you think you need to “get used to,” but your dentist can help you manage the discomfort. Let them know if you notice any changes in your teeth and gums because the disease may be progressing.

Other Types of Dental Damage

Other reasons to visit a professional as soon as possible include tooth decay and noticeably loose teeth. You might be pleasantly surprised at how easily a fluoride treatment or cleaning of plaque buildup under the root surfaces (scaling and planing) can fix the pain! 

For more serious causes of tooth sensitivity, dental bonding or other dentistry solutions could be recommended. In the meantime, try a night guard, skip the cold foods, and swish with those household remedies to get pain-free fast.

Conclusion

Most of the common causes of occasional teeth sensitivity are easy fixes. From grinding to decay, a little extra TLC with a night guard or dentistry fix can make the pain go away for good.

Visit JS Dental Lab for more on our professional custom-fit night guards, and say goodbye to the discomfort caused by grinding-related enamel wear and tear.

Shop Our Night Guards Today!