Table of contents:
- The choice of toothache medicine through daily habits
- 1. Brush your teeth properly
- 2. Using a special toothpaste
- 3. Avoid acidic foods and drinks
- 4. Gargle with hydrogen peroxide
- 5. Wear protective gear
- Medical procedures as a remedy for sore teeth
- 1. Check your teeth to the dentist
- 2. Caring for problematic gums
- What are the alternatives to toothache for pregnant women?
The condition of sensitive teeth can sometimes interfere with activities. The pain and burning sensation that occurs while enjoying a meal can make you feel very uncomfortable. In fact, the pain can be felt for hours after eating. Come on, find out the various choices of effective drugs to deal with the following tooth aches.
The choice of toothache medicine through daily habits
Sensitive teeth can occur at any age. Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, sensitivity is caused by the middle layer of the tooth (dentin) which is very softly exposed to various things from the outside environment. In fact, dentin should be protected by tooth enamel.
When the outermost layer of teeth or tooth enamel is thinning, the dentin will be exposed to air and temperature from the outside so that the teeth can easily feel sore.
One of the causes of tooth pain comes from the food consumed, for example, you will feel it when eating ice cream or just drinking other cold drinks. A sore sensation also appears when eating foods that should be avoided, namely those that are hot or too sweet. Pain can come and go, sometimes it can feel unbearable.
You can reduce and treat sensitive teeth starting from changing daily habits. Check out how to treat and treat sore or sensitive teeth below.
1. Brush your teeth properly
Have you brushed your teeth in the right way? For example, brushing your teeth regularly, that is, twice a day. It's not enough to stop there, also use the correct brushing technique to clean all parts of the teeth and mouth.
Brush gently and carefully around the gum line so you don't get rid of the tissue on the gums. Brushing hard can thin the enamel layer, which increases the sensitivity of your teeth.
Hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle. Brush gently in a circular motion and hold the toothbrush against your fingertips, not in the palm of your hand. We recommend that you use a type of soft-bristled toothbrush to reduce the risk of sore or sensitive teeth.
You can also use the help of dental floss (dental floss) to reach food debris between the teeth that are difficult to reach using a toothbrush.
2. Using a special toothpaste
You can use toothpaste for sensitive teeth that contain fluoride. Toothpaste specially designed for sensitive teeth contains an active ingredient known as potassium nitrate.
This content helps to block the tiny tubules in the dentin which are sensitive. Not only that, this toothpaste contains compounds that help block the spread of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerves.
It usually takes several uses before the tooth sensitivity decreases. After several uses, toothpaste can relieve pain associated with sensitive teeth.
If you use it regularly, toothpaste is one of the best ways to treat sore or sensitive teeth in the long run.
3. Avoid acidic foods and drinks
Overcoming toothache is not only using drugs that are consumed, but can also be done by changing lifestyle and habits, including food and beverage intake.
Acidic foods or drinks can erode the enamel layer, making teeth more sensitive. It's best to start limiting the consumption of acidic foods and drinks to reduce the risk of sore or sensitive teeth.
Wait until at least 20 minutes after eating acidic foods to brush your teeth in order to overcome the pain that arises. If the time is less than 20 minutes or you brush your teeth right away, it can hurt the enamel on your teeth.
4. Gargle with hydrogen peroxide
Instead of using mouthwash that contains alcohol, you can switch to using hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic and has a disinfecting function.
Not only to sterilize wounds, this product can also be used as a medicine to treat sore and sensitive teeth by eradicating the germs that cause it.
In addition, this mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide can also cure gum problems, such as canker sores and gingivitis.
5. Wear protective gear
Do you have the habit of grinding your teeth (bruxism) when you sleep at night? Well, this habit can be one of the causes of sensitive teeth because it can erode the enamel layer.
Therefore, using protective teeth (mouthguard) You can do it as an alternative treatment method for toothache and sensitivity due to the habit of grinding your teeth.
Medical procedures as a remedy for sore teeth
You can choose the handling of sensitive teeth through a dentist if your aching teeth are also sensitive and don't go away. You can consult all complaints to the doctor. The dentist will provide several prescription drugs for sore teeth as well as appropriate advice and in accordance with the perceived complaint.
Some medical procedures to deal with sore teeth that you can follow are as follows.
1. Check your teeth to the dentist
We recommend that you have your teeth checked by the dentist every six months. However it all depends on the condition of your teeth. If you feel any discomfort in your teeth, you should immediately consult a dentist. Furthermore, you may undergo one of the dental treatments with medical procedures, depending on the condition you feel.
Treatments that you can receive as a way to deal with sore or sensitive teeth, such as:
- Fluoride. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the spread of pain sensations. Your dentist may apply fluoride to sensitive areas of the tooth. The doctor may also prescribe this fluoride for home.
- Thickening or binding. The exposed root surface of the tooth can be treated by applying a layer (resin) of bonding to the sensitive surface of the tooth root. Local anesthesia may be required at the time of application.
- Gum surgery. If the root of the tooth loses the gum layer, a small amount of gum tissue can be taken from another part to attach to the missing part of the gum. This aims to protect the root of the tooth and reduce sensitivity.
- Root canal treatment ( root canal treatment ). If tooth sensitivity is severe and other treatments can't help, your dentist may recommend this treatment to treat the problem. Root canal treatment is a procedure used to treat pulp problems. This is the most successful technique with minimal side effects as a way to treat and treat sensitive teeth.
2. Caring for problematic gums
The roots of the teeth are usually covered by gum tissue. However, if you have a problem such as gum disease, it is possible that the roots of your teeth will be exposed. This condition is also known as receding gums (gingival recession).
The drop in the gums that exposes the roots also makes the teeth ache and leads to pain. The way you can do to deal with this sore and sensitive tooth is to go to the dentist for medical treatment that can restore gum tissue.
Some of the problems that can affect the gums include inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and gum infection (periodontitis).
What are the alternatives to toothache for pregnant women?
Teeth become more sensitive during pregnancy, which is one of the normal changes that occur. You can experience it at the end of the first trimester or early second trimester of pregnancy.
Gums are the connective tissue that surrounds the neck of your teeth and covers your jaw. The increase in hormones that occur in the body of pregnant women can cause an increase in blood flow to the gums.
This condition can cause your gums to soften and be more prone to inflammation and swelling. The prolonged complications of this situation will affect the dental tissue covering the roots of the teeth and the inside of other teeth, including the dentin.
So it is not surprising that you will feel more prickling and painful tooth sensitivity during pregnancy. Unfortunately, pregnant women cannot carelessly consume the type of drug commonly used for sore and sensitive teeth.
To deal with teeth that ache due to food and drinks, you can do several alternative ways, such as:
- Using a soft toothbrush and gentle and precise brushing techniques.
- Changing toothpaste to toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
- It's best to avoid foods and drinks that are too sweet and sour, as well as foods and drinks that are too hot or cold.
- Make sure you rinse your mouth with warm water after consuming these foods and drinks.
- Calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and vitamin D are important for tooth growth. Eating foods and drinks that contain these nutrients can keep your sensitive teeth healthy.
- Increase the number of times you brush your teeth during the day, including after snacking.
However, immediately get your teeth checked by a doctor if your sensitive teeth are accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Pain in the teeth until the loss of the teeth
- Bleeding or swelling of the gums
- Sores on the other parts of the mouth that hurt every time you eat food
- Difficulty breathing
Consult your doctor's condition, including being pregnant, during the examination.