Over 40% of the population are affected by tooth sensitivity. This oral health problem is on the increase partly due to the rising consumption of acidic food and drinks. Women are more likely to be affected by tooth sensitivity than men, with the most common age bracket being those aged 20-40.
How to Know If You Have Sensitive Teeth?
If you find that when drinking hot or cold drinks, eating sweet or acidic foods or in some cases breathing in cold air gives teeth a sensitive or painful feeling, you are likely to have sensitive teeth. Effective management of tooth sensitivity can minimise and eradicate discomfort, the problem can easily be treated at home with the correct oral hygiene products.
What Are the Causes of Tooth Sensitivity?
There are many causes of tooth sensitivity, the most common being;
- Vigorous Brushing – Brushing teeth too hard can cause tooth enamel to be worn down.
- Receding Gums – Gums can naturally recede, when this happens it can expose the roots of the teeth causing sensitivity.
- Tooth Erosion – Usually caused by acid attacks from certain food and drinks.
- Gum Disease – Which itself is caused by a build up of plaque, this can then cause erosion of the gums and in turn tooth sensitivity.
- Tooth Whitening – With many of today’s society opting for tooth whitening treatments, this has seen an increase in tooth sensitivity sufferers during and for a short period after the treatment.
- Teeth Grinding – A common problem that can occur whilst sleeping.
Can You Prevent Tooth Sensitivity?
There are some preventative measures you can take in regards to tooth sensitivity
- Brush teeth twice a day, ensuring one of these times is last thing at night-time. This allows the removal of food and drink sugars consumed in the daytime.
- Try to consume less sugary food and drinks where possible
- Change your toothbrush every 2 – 3 months or as and when it becomes worn
- Step up your routine – Brush, floss and use mouthrinse as part of your teeth cleaning routine
- Visit your dentist on a regular basis.
Treating tooth sensitivity is relatively easy with the correct product and can mostly be managed at home with the right oral health care products.
See Also: Dental Implants: When Bridges and Dentures Aren’t An Option
Gaining rapid and long-lasting alleviation is the most important requirement when treating tooth sensitivity. The G.U.M Sensivital+ range has no harsh chemicals leaving teeth feeling fresh and clean whilst alleviating the feeling caused by sensitive teeth.
GUM is part of the Sunstar group of companies, a global organisation that serves oral healthcare professionals and consumers in 90 countries around the world. Sunstar’s mission is to enhance the health and wellbeing of people everywhere.
Visit: https://www.sunstargum.com/
References:
Mintel Academic: http://academic.mintel.com/display/889795/?highlight
Smith, M. (2017). Three in ten Brits only brush their teeth once a day. YouGov. [online] Available at: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2017/10/23/three-ten-brits-only-brush-their-teeth-once-day [Accessed 29 Apr. 2019].
