Best At-Home Remedies for Sensitive Teeth
Having sensitive teeth makes eating and drinking pretty painful. However, it is a common and treatable condition that 1-in-8 people experience.
Tooth sensitivity happens when your tooth’s enamel is stripped away, leaving the layer of dentin and nerve roots exposed. The enamel protects the tooth, and with it gone, you may experience sharp pain or hypersensitivity.
If you have sensitive teeth, it is important to visit your dentist so they can determine the underlying cause of your pain. In the meantime, here are some at-home remedies you can use to reduce tooth pain and relieve discomfort.
At Home Remedies for Sensitive Teeth
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Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic and is often used as a disinfectant to clean wounds and cuts. But peroxide is also effective as a mouthwash to heal gums and prevent inflammation. To use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash, use equal parts hydrogen peroxide and warm water and swish for 30 seconds. Spit and rinse with water to remove any remaining hydrogen peroxide. It is important to not swallow this mixture.
Studies show that using a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash prevents gingivitis, kills bacteria, and has healing properties.
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Green Tea
Green tea is known for its healthy benefits, such as cancer prevention and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also helpful to oral health.
For sensitive teeth, unsweetened green tea acts as a great mouthwash. Swish and rinse twice a day to reduce inflammation and strengthen teeth. An extract in green tea, called EGCG, fights bacteria, resists plaque build up, and decreases the risk of tooth erosion: all symptoms that contribute to tooth sensitivity.
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Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a tried-and-true remedy that uses natural ingredients and substances to improve oral health around the tooth and gum line. Coconut oil has many health benefits. It is also useful in improving oral health, as well as helping with sensitive teeth.
The process is simple: swish coconut oil around in your mouth for a short time every day. Oil cuts through plaque, removes bacteria and toxins from the gums, and fights off cavities. Using coconut oil means there are no harsh chemicals and it doesn’t taste as bad as other oils.
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Garlic
Garlic contains naturally-occurring compounds that are beneficial to your overall health. It contains strong antibacterial and natural anesthetic qualities.
Garlic is traditionally used in folk medicine to relieve tooth pain from sensitivity. A 2011 study discovered that chewing on garlic releases a substance called allicin. Allicin is what gives garlic its use as an antibacterial agent and natural anesthetic. It is because of this that garlic helps relieve tooth sensitivity and can even prevent issues like tooth decay. The antibacterial properties kill germs that cause oral infections and cavities.
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Essential Oils
A popular remedy for many medical conditions, essential oils can be used to improve the health of your gums and teeth. The three most popular essential oils for oral health are:
- Peppermint Oil – Peppermint oil is an antiseptic and kills bacteria to help prevent gum diseases and protect dentin and enamel. Its flavor also helps fight bad breath.
- Clove Oil – This type of oil contains a germicidal property and is used in dentistry because of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic properties. Clove extract, called eugenol, has particular analgesic effect, which helps treat sensitive teeth.
- Cinnamon Oil – Another oil with antibacterial properties, cinnamon oil fights tooth decay by killing bacteria and preventing teeth from getting sensitive.
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Capsaicin
Capsaicin naturally occurs in chili peppers – the substance responsible for the spice and heat. In a 2011 study, capsaicin proved to relieve some types of pain. It numbs nerve fibers, making them less receptive to pain signals. Applying capsaicin gel to the gums reduces pain from tooth sensitivity.
If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.