Have you ever had a sudden, intense streak of pain when you were eating ice cream or sipping some hot coffee or soup? Are you experiencing teeth sensitivity even after religiously brushing and flossing your teeth? If yes, you may have to look back into your daily tooth brushing habits.
Teeth sensitivity or “dentin hypersensitivity” is a temporary or a chronic issue and may include one tooth, several teeth or all teeth. Surprisingly faulty tooth brushing is the most common cause of tooth hypersensitivity. As simple as brushing your teeth seems, there are a lot of little blunders you might make that may do more harm than good.
1. You’re using a wrong toothbrush
Choosing the right toothbrush can be difficult, particularly if there are so many options available on the shelf. Not all toothbrushes, however, are the same. Toothbrushes with hard, stiff bristles will wear away your enamel easily, leaving your teeth weaker, more sensitive and, even painful.
2. You’re brushing your teeth too long
It is advised to brush your teeth for two minutes (30 seconds per quadrant). According to the Wall Street Journal, as a result of over brushing, 10-20 per cent of the population have damaged their teeth or gums. Set a timer on your phone if you feel you exceed the two-minute mark.
3. You’re not using the correct technique
Faulty brushing techniques may have a detrimental impact on your teeth enamel resulting insensitivity. There are several teeth cleaning techniques; all of them can have advantages based on the person’s particular needs. One recommended approach is to position the toothbrush to the gum line at a 45-degree angle and move it softly back and forth in short strokes.
4. You’re brushing too often or hard
Forceful brushing will remove the enamel on your teeth, resulting in notching at the junction of the crown and tooth root. Excessive forceful brushing may also cause your gums to recede. Gum recession will result in root exposure which may trigger sensitivity.
5. You’re brushing right after eating:
Foods containing citric acids, such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons, weaken the dental enamel. Brushing soon after eating will damage the enamel in its weakened state. You should resist brushing your teeth for at least 60 minutes after you have consumed any acidic food.
Having sensitive teeth is an incredibly uncomfortable and painful affair. Avoiding these tooth brushing blunders in your everyday oral health routine will go a long way in preventing tooth sensitivity.
