Great overall health begins in the mouth so taking care of your body starts with a good oral health regiment. Regular dental appointments are just as important as doctor appointments, especially if you begin to experience consistent toothaches or sensitivity after eating cold foods or beverages. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, about 40 million people in the United States experience some form of tooth sensitivity.
Finding the source of your sensitivity is important in recommending treatment. To ease the pain in the meantime, there are some home remedies you can try until your next dental appointment. Remember though, you recommend that you visit your dentist at least 1x every 6 months or immediately upon pain, bleeding, discomfort, sensitivity or other feelings of discomfort you might experience.
1. Desensitizing toothpaste
Desensitizing toothpaste contains compounds that help to shield nerve endings from irritants. The most active ingredient is potassium nitrate, a compound that blocks pain signals traveling from a nerve in your tooth to your brain.
After a few uses, your sensitivity will reduce. Dentists also recommend using a soft-bristle toothbrush and low-acid or fluoride mouth rinses. Please always speak to your dentists about the best type of toothpaste to use for your specific situation. We can help guide you on a path to good oral health.
2. Saltwater rinse
Salt is an effective antiseptic and it can also help to reduce inflammation. To alleviate pain symptoms from sensitive teeth, gargle with a saltwater rinse twice daily. To use a saltwater rinse:
- Add ½ to ¾ tsp of salt to a glass of lukewarm water and mix well.
- Swish the solution in your mouth for up to 30 seconds.
- Spit out the solution.
3. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic and disinfectant. It is commonly used to help sterilize cuts, burns and other wounds to prevent infection. You can also use peroxide as a mouth rinse to heal gums and prevent inflammation. To use hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse:
- Add two caps of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to equal parts of warm water.
- Swish the solution in your mouth for up to 30 seconds.
- Spit out the solution.
- Rinse your mouth with water afterward to remove any remaining hydrogen peroxide.
4. Honey and warm water
Honey is an antibacterial agent and can be used for wound management. It can help to speed healing and reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.
To reduce pain from sensitive teeth, rinse your mouth with warm water and a spoonful of honey. This rinse will promote oral healing.
5. Turmeric
In addition to cooking, turmeric can be used as an anti-inflammatory treatment. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin known for its anti-inflammatory effects. It has been used in treatments for digestive orders and as an agent to enhance wound healing.
For oral health and to alleviate pain from sensitive teeth, you can massage ground turmeric on the teeth. An alternative is to make a topical paste from 1 tsp turmeric, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp mustard oil. Apply this paste to the teeth and gums twice a day for pain relief.
6. Green tea
Green tea is another product known for its health benefits. It has been used in cancer prevention and cardiovascular health studies for its antioxidant effect and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea can also help in oral health.
For sensitive teeth, use unsweetened green tea as a mouthwash twice a day to strengthen teeth and reduce inflammation.
Preventing Sensitive Teeth
While home remedies can temporarily relieve pain symptoms, there are some things you can do to prevent more damage to your teeth. Prevention methods include:
- Maintaining good oral hygiene to keep your teeth and mouth clean
- Using a softer brush to prevent irritation and abrasions
- Limiting the number of acidic foods and beverages you consume to prevent dissolving tooth enamel
- Scheduling regular dental visits
- Using a mouthguard at night if you grind your teeth
Try CBD
One of the latest and greatest best remedies for good oral health is CBD. Choosing the right kind of CBD is important to ensure you can maintain good physical and oral health. CBD known as Cannabidiol is a naturally occurring compound which means it is very safe for the body. It is one of the most powerful anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory agents compounds in the world. Made from the hemp oil from the hemp plant which is a natural source of body healing agents, CBD is a natural, organic, therapeutic remedy for pain, inflammation, toothaches, abscesses, periodontal related issues and much more. It also contains anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agents that help rejuvenate, restore and revive the body.
At County Dental, we offer the best in locally grown CBD oil manufactured by Greenspectrums. Our CBD oil is pesticide-free and contains all 20 strands of amino acids making it the perfect agent to help you maintain good and positive oral health. Visit your local County Dental office and purchase yours today or learn more about CBD products offered at greenspectrums.com
The Best Course of Action
We encourage you to be proactive in keeping your teeth healthy, especially when you struggle with tooth sensitivity. A little time invested can save you countless hours of trouble – not to mention money – in the future. Click here to take your next step and schedule your appointment with our professional staff.
Start Saving Up to 70% on Your Dental Care Today
Don’t forget, our mission is always to get our patients the dental care they need at a price they can afford. Do not let a lack of dental coverage or maxed out benefits compromise your oral health. Click here to see how our in-office savings plan program can save you up to 70% on your dental treatments while giving each member 1 Free Teeth Cleaning per member per year! With Dental Direct, you can experience immediate enrollment, no age restrictions and more. Did we mention that all pre-existing conditions are covered? As a valued patient at County Dental, sign up for our 3-year membership plan using Care Credit and you will get 1 year of the plan for FREE! If this is your first qualifying product with Care Credit, and you act before 12/31/2019, you will also receive a FREE Sonicare toothbrush. So don’t wait, start saving today.
You can also ask us about Flex Spending and Care Credit. At County Dental, we also participate with most dental insurances so feel free to ask us how we can support you in financing your oral health habits. We look forward to seeing your smile in our office.
