How You Can Lessen Tooth Sensitivity and Improve Your Oral Health

This is the time of year when temperatures in Kansas City seem to fluctuate pretty wildly. The KC area is known for its unpredictable weather extremes, and during the spring and fall especially, it may be cold one day and hot the next—or cold in the morning and hot by afternoon, or vice versa. So many of us still find ourselves sipping hot drinks to stay warm on cold days and downing cool beverages to keep hydrated on warm days when we might spend more time outside.

All of this means that this time of year is often particularly hard on those who have sensitive teeth, which can react unpleasantly to a sip of something hot or cold, not to mention sweets or foods that have a high acid content. Even just breathing in the cold air on a chilly day can be uncomfortable for those who suffer from sensitive teeth.

So, what causes tooth sensitivity? Many different factors can contribute to it—from receding gums to some tooth whitening procedures to orthodontics, fillings, and other dental work—but the most common cause of tooth sensitivity has to do with a lack of adequate tooth enamel. The enamel is the hard outer surface of your tooth that protects the sensitive dentin and root from things like extremes of heat or cold. Enamel is one of the most durable substances in the body, but even it can be worn down over time due to tooth decay or erosion, exposure to acidic foods or beverages, tooth grinding, or other behaviors. That’s the bad news. Here’s the good: all of these conditions can be corrected or minimized with a little help from a dentist in Kansas City.

Your Kansas City family dentist can help you to treat the symptoms of tooth sensitivity so that you don’t have to suffer during cold (or hot) weather, and can also help you to take care of your teeth in order to prevent worn enamel leading to sensitive teeth. A few tips include brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush, avoiding foods and beverages that are high in acid, addressing any tendencies that you might have to grind your teeth, and, of course, making regular visits to see a dentist in Kansas City.

If you’re already suffering from sensitive teeth, it’s not too late to make some changes that will help, including switching to a toothpaste that is specially designed to help reduce tooth sensitivity. There are plenty of toothpaste options for sensitive teeth that have been approved by the American Dental Association, and which not only help to reduce the symptoms of tooth sensitivity but also remove plaque and fight tartar, freshen breath, and protect against cavities like any other good toothpaste. When in doubt, you can ask your Kansas City family dentist for advice.

Whether you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity or just want to take better care of your enamel and gums so that tooth sensitivity hopefully never becomes an issue, Blacker Family Dental in Kansas City, MO can help. From reducing the symptoms of tooth sensitivity to treating the causes, we’ve got all the dental care options you need. Just call (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment today!