Tooth sensitivity can be a real challenge for many people, but it doesn’t have to be a lifelong sentence. With the right care and habits, you can alleviate and even prevent this uncomfortable condition.

Understand the Cause

Tooth sensitivity often arises when the protective layers of teeth get worn down, exposing the soft, inner part of the tooth called the dentin. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including tooth decay, gum disease, grinding teeth, or even aggressive brushing. It’s important to understand that tooth sensitivity isn’t a standalone problem, but usually a symptom of underlying oral health issues.

Proper Brushing Techniques

How you brush matters just as much as how often. If you brush too hard or use a hard-bristled toothbrush, you can wear down the enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and apply gentle, circular motions to clean your teeth. This is just as effective at removing plaque and is much kinder to your teeth and gums.

Here at Your Oviedo Dentist, we recommend and offer the Sonicare toothbrush. Many Sonicare models include a pressure sensor that alerts you if you’re brushing too hard. Applying excessive pressure while brushing can wear away enamel and irritate your gums, both of which can increase tooth sensitivity. With a Sonicare toothbrush, you’ll always know that you’re brushing just right.

Sonicare toothbrushes often feature multiple brushing modes, including a sensitive mode specifically designed for people with sensitive teeth or gums. This mode operates at a lower intensity, ensuring a comfortable and effective cleaning experience without causing any discomfort.

Desensitizing Toothpaste

Numerous brands offer toothpaste specifically designed to help reduce tooth sensitivity. These products often contain compounds that help block the transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve, thereby reducing sensitivity. One such product is PreviDent, a fluoride toothpaste that not only desensitizes but also strengthens enamel, providing an added layer of protection against sensitivity. By strengthening weakened tooth enamel,  it enables it to resist acid erosion, and reduces the potential for dentin exposure. Remember, however, that as potent as it is, PreviDent is a prescription toothpaste and should be used under the guidance of your dental professional.

With regular use, these desensitizing toothpastes can significantly alleviate tooth sensitivity. However, it’s important to note that they provide symptomatic relief and may not address the underlying cause of tooth sensitivity. Therefore, persistent sensitivity should always be evaluated by a dental professional. At Your Oviedo Dentist, we are always ready to assist you in selecting the right toothpaste for your dental needs.

Mind Your Diet

Acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits, soda and wine, can erode your tooth enamel over time, exposing the sensitive dentin beneath. Try to limit these in your diet, and when you do consume them, use a straw to limit their contact with your teeth.

Use a Fluoride Mouthwash

A fluoride mouthwash can contribute to strengthening your enamel, thus reducing sensitivity. It’s a quick and easy addition to your oral hygiene routine that can have a significant impact on your dental comfort.

Consider a Night Guard

Many people unconsciously grind their teeth during their sleep, a condition known as bruxism. Over time, this can wear down the enamel and lead to sensitivity. If you wake up with a sore jaw or a headache, or if your partner reports that you make grinding noises in your sleep, consider discussing a night guard with us at Your Oviedo Dentist.

Regular Dental Checkups

Regular dental checkups are a cornerstone of maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can spot and address issues before they become major problems. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, don’t hesitate to bring it up at your next appointment. There may be treatments, such as a fluoride gel or dental sealant, that we can apply to protect your teeth and reduce sensitivity.

Remember, you don’t have to live with tooth sensitivity. With the right habits and care, you can keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright. And remember, at Your Oviedo Dentist, we are always here to help. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your oral health is the best it can be. If you have any concerns about tooth sensitivity or any other dental issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Your comfort and health are our top priorities.

At Your Oviedo Dentist, we care about more than just your teeth; we genuinely CARE ABOUT YOU. We’re dedicated to providing compassionate, professional, and state-of-the-art dental care to everyone in our community. Together, let’s make tooth sensitivity a thing of the past!

The post Soothing the Bite: A Guide for People with Sensitive Teeth first appeared on Your Oviedo Dentist.

If you’ve been looking for a new way to whiten your teeth, you may have noticed that charcoal toothpaste has been popping up in the checkout aisle at your local drugstore. Not only that, but it’s been found in over-the-counter face washes, creams, and even ice cream lately.

The idea behind using it in toothpaste it seems pretty simple: Charcoal has long been used to detoxify the body, so why would it not work on our pearly whites?

However, more and more studies have shown that the cons of using charcoal toothpaste outweigh any pros. So this begs the question — is charcoal toothpaste good?

In this article, we’ll take a look at the facts so you can make an educated decision for yourself. Using charcoal toothpaste may not be worth your time (and money) after all. So before you buy into the fad of charcoal toothpaste, here’s what you should know about it:

What is Charcoal Toothpaste?

First things first. Before we get into the truth behind charcoal toothpaste, let’s take a look at what it is exactly. Charcoal toothpaste is a dental product that contains activated charcoal, which has been trending because of its whitening properties.

So, how is it made? Activated charcoal is created by burning waste products (like coconut shells) at high temperatures in an oxygen-free environment. This allows it to become highly absorbent, while also retaining its porous structure. It’s then added to popular dental products like toothpaste.

Cons of Using Charcoal Toothpaste:

As we mentioned before, any benefits that charcoal toothpaste has are greatly outweighed by the consequences that come with using it daily. Let’s take a look at the cons of using charcoal toothpaste:

1. It damages the enamel on your teeth.

One of the biggest charcoal toothpaste cons is its abrasiveness. While people are commonly drawn to charcoal for its teeth-whitening properties, they don’t realize is that it also wears down the enamel on your teeth over time. It’s far too abrasive for daily use, especially when it comes to brushing two times per day as the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends.

When your enamel is weakened, it’s particularly dangerous because it makes your teeth prone to cavities, stains, sensitivity, and even cracking. It can even cause gum recession, causing your gum line to peel away from the tooth.

Once the enamel is gone, it unfortunately doesn’t come back. This can lead to a lifetime of dental issues. Poor oral health makes you prone to bacterial infections, which can even cause heart problems. Without properly taking care of your teeth, it can lead to overall health problems down the line.

2. It doesn’t remove stains below tooth enamel.

Another big con is that charcoal toothpaste cannot get rid of stains below the enamel on your teeth—it only removes surface stains like coffee or wine (although some brands claim otherwise). This defeats the whole purpose of why people start using it in the first place, as many brands claim it can draw deep stains out of the teeth entirely.

This just goes to show that using charcoal for whitening isn’t a long-term solution. It works on a short-term basis only—similar to seeing your dentist for a teeth cleaning.

3. It can actually stain your teeth.

While most people use charcoal for whitening, you may not have known that it can actually stain your teeth.

If you’ve ever used charcoal toothpaste, you probably remember the dark black color that came off on your brush and stained your sink. If it stains everything it touches, just imagine what it can do to your teeth. It can slide into the tiny cracks in your teeth—and it’s almost impossible to remove once it does.

4. It doesn’t prevent cavities or tooth decay.

The primary benefit of using traditional fluoride toothpaste is that it protects your teeth. Charcoal toothpaste does not contain fluoride, which ultimately can lead to cavities and eventually decay. Not using fluoride in your day-to-day routine can lead to cavities and eventually tooth decay.

What’s more, the abrasive nature of charcoal itself can wear away enamel over time, causing your teeth to become more porous and more susceptible to bacteria that cause cavities. While some brands claim that activated charcoal may help with some minor oral health problems like gingivitis or bad breath—and there are even some anecdotal claims that it helps gum issues—there’s no evidence that it does anything beyond what regular brushing does on its own (except maybe pick up surface-level coffee stains).

Lastly, if you’re someone who doesn’t take good care of your oral health by brushing regularly and flossing every day, then this product definitely isn’t right for you. It can make poor oral health even worse by removing protective layers on your teeth when used improperly (and don’t forget about tongue health!).

5. It’s too harsh for sensitive teeth.

Charcoal may remove some plaque and buildup from your teeth, but its harshness can lead to irritation and sores on the tongue or gums. This can result in increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks. If you have sensitive teeth, charcoal toothpaste will be too abrasive for you. The same can be said for young kids who try charcoal for whitening or simply use it for daily use.

6. It may stain dental restorations or older teeth.

Do you have dental restorations? Some folks with dental work like crowns, caps, veneers, and fillings have reported that charcoal toothpaste left black or grey outlines on their restorations. This can be really unsightly and even uncomfortable.

It’s also important to note that it can also cause staining on new teeth as well as older ones. You’re more prone to this risk if you use it frequently or have minor cracks in your teeth. If you’re concerned about this happening to you, it’s best to avoid charcoal toothpaste altogether.

7. It doesn’t “detoxify” the mouth.

While it’s true that activated charcoal does have some “detoxifying” properties when it comes to absorbing chemicals and toxins in the digestive tract, it doesn’t absorb any of these things from your mouth (or anywhere else in the body). In fact, there’s no evidence that using toothpaste with activated charcoal actually helps remove any toxins at all!

8. The long-term effects are unknown.

Before you go out and purchase charcoal toothpaste, remember that there have been no long-term studies proving its effectiveness. As of now, there is no data indicating how well charcoal toothpaste works over the course of years or even months. The only studies that have been conducted on it are short-term and show mixed results.

For example, one study found that charcoal toothpaste was more effective than a regular toothpaste at removing plaque from teeth after five days of use. However, another study found that black charcoal made a person’s mouth feel dryer after using it for four weeks than regular toothpaste did (the fluoride toothpaste being the control).

The big issue here is that you might be trading one problem for another. Your teeth may be whiter but your gums could become irritated or bleed more easily. Charcoal may allow your teeth and gums to receive less oxygen, which is due to the tightness of the formula’s paste consistency.

Alternatives to Whitening Teeth with Charcoal Toothpaste

Fluoride is a mineral that’s naturally present in water and other foods, and it can help prevent tooth decay by strengthening teeth and promoting the remineralization of tooth enamel.

It is safe when used properly; however, overexposure may cause dental fluorosis (mottled or stained teeth). The ADA recommends using only products containing 0.05% sodium fluoride or lower as part of an effective oral hygiene routine that includes brushing twice per day with a soft-bristled brush for two minutes each time—even if you already have healthy-looking teeth!

Conclusion

Although charcoal toothpaste has received a lot of media attention recently, it doesn’t make it a good option for the health of your teeth. In fact, there is no research to support whether it’s effective or even safe. The cons of using charcoal toothpaste greatly outweigh any benefit it may provide. The truth is out!

Instead of taking a chance on charcoal toothpaste or any other at-home whitening products, call us today to speak with one of our informed team members about our safe take-home whitening options!

The post The Truth Behind Charcoal Toothpaste first appeared on Your Oviedo Dentist.