Using Mouthwash for Sensitive Teeth

If hot, cold, sweet, and sour foods or drinks and breathing cold air causes discomfort in your teeth, you could probably be a victim of teeth sensitivity. The pain you experience might be sharp, unexpected, and shoot deep into the tooth’s nerve endings.

Tooth sensitivity occurs when the dentin layer beneath the hard exterior of the tooth becomes exposed due to receding gum tissue. The roots are not covered by the tough enamel containing multiple tubules leading towards the dental pulp. These tubules permit the stimuli such as hot and cold foods to get to the nerve of the tooth, resulting in the sensitivity you experience.

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity results from many causes, including the following:

• Brushing Aggressively: Cleaning your teeth aggressively over time using a hard bristled toothbrush wears down tooth enamel to expose the dentin, which in turn causes gum recession.
• Receding Gums: receding gums from infections like periodontal disease expose the root surface to cause sensitivity.
• Gum Disease: Sensitivity is also caused by inflamed and sore gum tissue because of the loss of supporting ligaments that expose the root surface directly to the nerves.
• Cracked Teeth: Broken or chipped teeth allow your mouth bacteria and black to cause cavities that enter the soft center of the tooth, the dental pulp causing inflammation.
• Bruxism: teeth grinding and clenching, alternatively called bruxism, wear down the exterior layer of your teeth to expose the soft dentin.
• Teeth Straightening: receiving orthodontic treatments to straighten teeth with Invisalign can also cause sensitivity, especially when you replace the aligners after every three weeks.
• Tooth Whitening Products: You might experience sensitivity after using tooth whitening products containing baking soda and peroxide.
• Aging: tooth sensitivity is highest among people between 25 and 30.
• Plaque Buildup: Sensitivity is also caused by the presence of dental plaque on the root surfaces.
• Mouthwash Use: Using over-the-counter mouthwashes containing acids that worsen tooth sensitivity if you have exposed dentin. If you experience dentin sensitivity, you can discuss with your dentist about using a fluoride dental mouthwash or receive a recommendation from the professional on the best products to use.
• Routine Dental Procedures: If you have dental processes like root planing, teeth cleaning, and tooth restoration with implants, you might also experience some temporary sensitivity lasting for four to six weeks.

The causes of tooth sensitivity mustn’t discourage you from using mouthwash for sensitive teeth. However, you must request the Loveland dentist for a recommendation instead of purchasing over-the-counter products that might be unsuitable for your specific situation.

What Kind of Mouthwash Is Good for Sensitive Teeth?

Depending on the reasons for your tooth sensitivity, the American Dental Association (ADA) suggests using desensitizing products as home care remedies to suppress sensitivity. Recommended mouthwashes desensitize teeth by applying solutions to anesthetize delicate tubules in the underlying dentin area by coating the enamel to strengthen it. The strengthening compounds fill the microscopic tubules leading to the tooth’s pulp through the dentin to help prevent cavities by protecting the enamel. Please do not expect overnight results because it requires regular use over time to build the anesthetizing effect to strengthen the enamel.

The dental office near you is the best option to help you decide on the mouthwash brand best suited for your teeth sensitivity. Over-the-counter mouthwash brands promise a lot but fail to deliver when it matters most. Therefore you must contact the dental office to receive a recommendation on the mouthwash brand you can use for sensitive teeth.

Trying to determine whether to use mouthwash or toothpaste as a remedy for sensitivity without help from a dentist is challenging because both desensitizing products are equally effective. Dentists recommend mouthwash brands function as an anesthetic or sedation or your teeth to prevent the pain you experience and provide relief.

Do not consider using mouthwash as a substitute for brushing and flossing. However, mouthwashes undoubtedly provide additional benefits by reducing the risk of bad breath, preventing cavities and gum disease, and as a relief for xerostomia or dry mouth besides oral sores and tooth sensitivity. However, it would help if you chose a specialty mouthwash recommended by the dentist in Loveland instead of selecting any brand that catches your attention in a drugstore or supermarket.

Fox Creek Dental by Espire Loveland can suggest the best mouthwash for sensitive teeth if you are affected by this condition. Do not delay seeking advice from the practice today to eliminate the pain you experience in your teeth.