Tooth Sensitivity Could Be Something More

If you wince in pain when you enjoy an orange, grapefruit, kiwi or tomato you could be suffering from tooth sensitivity. According to your dentist tooth sensitivity can be caused by all kinds of things.

Acidic Foods

Citrus fruits and other acidic foods could be causing tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. If you love citrus, rinse your teeth after you enjoy. Your dentist explains that acidic foods could be stripping away the enamel on your teeth making them extra sensitive.

Tooth Whitening Products

Everyone loves a movie star smile, but if you have been over indulging in tooth whitening strips, polishes, gels, pastes, or mouth rinses, the dentin on your teeth could be exposed. Tooth whitening products contain chemicals and other additives that could be making your teeth and gums sensitive. Try switching brands or see your dentist about professional tooth whitening options. Also, make sure that you buy products that are listing on the American Dental Association approved products list.

Cracked Teeth

You may have a hairline crack or chip in your tooth, and even though it is nearly impossible to see, it could be the reason that you have tooth sensitivity. Those tiny cracks and chips are large enough to allow dangerous food particles and bacteria into your tooth. If bacteria find its way into the pulp of your tooth, you may need a root canal. If the tooth cannot be saved, your dentist may need an extraction.

Old Fillings

If your fillings are older than 10 years, they could be harboring new cavities. Unfortunately, your old silver amalgam fillings could have a leak, a crack, or a chip. Although you may not feel a thing, it is important that you schedule a checkup with your dentist who can make sure that your fillings are sound.

Tobacco Use

While smoking stains your teeth, it also causes bad breath. Smoking and chewing tobacco makes you more susceptible to gum disease and dental caries. Tobacco use can also lead to oral cancer. Quit smoking and chewing and people around you will thank you for it.

Medical Issues

If your dentist has given you a clean bill of health as far as your teeth and gums are concerned, you may be dealing with another medical issue or the medications that you are taking. Sinus conditions, respiratory tract infections, kidney or liver diseases, diabetes, gastric reflux, or dry mouth could be causing your chronic halitosis.

If you are tired of covering your mouth when you talk, call or click and schedule an appointmentwith your dentist who can help determine the cause of your chronic bad breath. Call or click now.  

Celebrate National Facial Protection Month

It’s National Facial Protection month and that means it’s time to schedule an appointment with yourdentist for a custom made mouthguard.

Every April the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Association of Orthodontists, the Academy for Sports Dentistry and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, collaborate in order to promote this event. National Facial Protection Month is in place to raise the public’s awareness and remind athletes, coaches, and parents to play it safe and protect themselves during both group and individual sporting activities.

If you follow the Gentle Touch family Dentistry Blog, you will have learned what you can do in case of a dental emergency. Gentle Touch Family Dentistry also discussed the importance of a custom-made mouthguard. Mouthguards can help prevent teeth from being displaced, broken, cracked or knocked out. Mouthguards can also help block injuries to the tissues and the bones surrounding your teeth. Mouthguards can also help defend against lower jaw and TMJ injuries.

The American Academyof Pediatric Dentistry explains that nearly 39 percent of all dental injuries that occur each year in children and teens are caused by a direct hit or blow to the face because of player to player contact, or because of a hit to the face with a ball or hockey puck.

The associations have five tips to share that could help impede head and facial injuries:

1. Wear a mouthguard when playing any type of sports. Even surfers and skateboarders should invest in a custom-made mouthguard. Although a bit pricier than stock or boil and bite mouthguards, the cost is much less when you compare it to a trip to your dentist or the local hospital.

2. Helmets are essential as they not only absorb impact energy, but can also prevent head injuries.

3. Protective eyewear is imperative, as your eyes are very vulnerable to any type of damage, especially when playing recreational, amateur, or professional sports.

4. Wearing a face shield on the playing field can help you avoid bruised or scratched skin. Racquetballs, handballs, basketballs, and baseballs can cause serious damage to your face regardless of how old you are.

5. The associations sponsoring National Facial Awareness Month also believe that protective gear should be mandatory regardless of the sport. Boxers, hockey players, and football players are all required to wear some type of mouth protector. It has been proven that mouthguards actually help decrease oral injuries.

This spring join the rest of the nation for National Facial Awareness Month and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry who can fit out your entire family with custom-made mouthguards. Call or click today.