Table of contents:
- The reason you can't bite into ice cream
- Conditions that cause sensitive teeth
- Overcoming the problem of sensitive teeth, can it be cured?
- 1. Routine brushing
- 2. Using the right toothpaste
- 3. Flossing and rinsing
- 4. Apply toothpaste to sensitive teeth
- 5. Check with the dentist
- 6. Controlling the food and drink consumed
- If you have sensitive teeth, can you still eat ice cream?
Have you ever felt toothache after eating ice cream? It must be uncomfortable. Toothache can be a sign you have sensitive teeth. Maybe many people ask, can sensitive teeth be cured? Previously, first consider why sensitive teeth can occur and how to solve this problem.
The reason you can't bite into ice cream
Almost everyone likes ice cream, but some of them cannot enjoy ice cream in its entirety because of sensitive teeth. The onset of aching sensation is usually caused by a stimulus from hot or cold food. Why can?
According to American Dental AssociationTooth sensitivity can occur when the tooth enamel or enamel is thinning, tooth decay or cavities, cracked teeth, and decreased gums that expose the roots of the teeth. In addition, diseases around the tooth tissue can also trigger sensitive teeth.
Sensitive teeth can occur in adults from the age of 20 to the elderly. This is because people are not fully aware of certain habits that trigger sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth is a condition that can develop over time, so anyone can experience it.
Conditions that cause sensitive teeth
Previously said, sensitive teeth due to food or drink stimuli that are too hot and cold are caused by the thinning of the outer layer of the tooth crown (enamel). There are several reasons why tooth enamel may become thin:
- Abrasion: Tooth and gum damage caused by brushing your teeth too hard with the use of coarse toothbrush bristles
- Erosion: Damage caused by acids in the oral cavity
- Abfraction: Damage to the neck of a tooth due to excessive biting pressure
- Attrition: Tooth enamel damage due to friction of the teeth on the upper and lower jaw, so that the teeth become worn out
In addition, dental procedures such as bleaching or teeth whitening can make the enamel thinner. Because of the process bleaching using hydrogen peroxide which is an abrasive.
Vital or live teeth can become sensitive due to the thinning of the enamel layer or the thinning of cementum (outer layer of the tooth root).
This depletion of the protective layer of the tooth causes exposed dentine. Dentin is part of the inner teeth after enamel and cementum. Exposed dentin very easily responds to stimuli from outside the teeth, such as food or drink that is too hot or cold.
By doing so, this stimulus will increase the flow of fluid in the tubules (microscopic tube channels) in the dentin so that it affects the nerve endings of the teeth. As a result, the dental nerves will be activated and send signals to the brain, resulting in the perception of pain in the teeth.
However, there's no need to worry. There are ways to solve the problem of sensitive teeth so that they don't always interfere.
Overcoming the problem of sensitive teeth, can it be cured?
Sensitive teeth make it difficult for you to eat ice cream or consume hot food / drinks. Unfortunately, sensitive teeth cannot heal on their own. The good news is, you can still deal with the symptoms of sore teeth due to sensitive teeth.
There are several recommended treatments for sensitive teeth.
1. Routine brushing
Overcoming the problem of sensitive teeth can be done by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning after breakfast and before going to bed at night. Don't forget to use soft bristles, don't need to use too much pressure when brushing your teeth, and make sure that all surfaces of your teeth are evenly brushed. Brush your teeth slowly in a vertical direction, from the gum to the tooth (from top to bottom or bottom to top).
One thing to note, you should not brush your teeth immediately after consuming acidic foods or drinks. Because, it can result in thinning or erosion of the tooth enamel. It's best to wait a while before you brush your teeth.
2. Using the right toothpaste
To treat sensitive teeth, use a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Use it twice a day for two weeks to reduce soreness. Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride and potassium nitrate so that teeth are optimally maintained.
Content fluoride in toothpaste can strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Meanwhile, potassium nitrate can reduce the possibility of nerve stimulation, thereby helping to reduce sensitivity in the teeth. You can also choose toothpaste with mint content to keep the oral cavity fresh at all times.
3. Flossing and rinsing
Even though you have brushed your teeth, there may be food debris left between your teeth. So, don't forget to do it flossing or floss your teeth. Afterwards, gargle with mouthwash that has desensitizing properties to reduce pain. This method also helps you in dealing with sensitive teeth problems.
4. Apply toothpaste to sensitive teeth
If sensitive teeth appear at any time, immediately apply a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth that functions as a desensitizer. Content potassium nitrate in it can help reduce toothache. Apply this method to overcome the problem of sensitive teeth that start to ache when consuming certain foods or drinks.
5. Check with the dentist
If your sensitive teeth are due to decreased gums or cavities, consult a dentist immediately. Depending on the cause of sensitive teeth, you will get the right treatment procedure.
If you have a cavity, the doctor will perform the filling. Meanwhile, the problem of gum reduction usually involves periodontal therapy, such as gum surgery to protect the root of the tooth and reduce tooth sensitivity.
6. Controlling the food and drink consumed
You can identify whether the pain in sensitive teeth is caused by food stimuli that are too hot, cold, or acidic. If so, as much as possible limit the consumption of foods that trigger toothache as a measure to overcome the problem of sensitive teeth.
Accompany food or drink control with good dental care. So that the frequency of tooth aches can be reduced.
If you have sensitive teeth, can you still eat ice cream?
Everyone will want to be able to eat various foods or drinks freely without fear of pain. Including eating ice cream without worry. Because the problem of sensitive teeth cannot be cured, you need to deal with the pain in the ways above.
Starting from how to brush your teeth, choosing toothbrush bristles, using special toothpaste for sensitive teeth to strengthen enamel, avoiding acidic foods, and not brushing your teeth immediately after eating food. In addition, if possible, wait a while until foods that are too hot or cold are safer for consumption.
Come on, keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Apply dental care regularly, so that the symptoms of pain can be handled properly.
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