Toothpaste containing arginine has been shown to be more effective than sensitive toothpastes that use potassium as the active ingredient. [2] X Research source
Also be careful not to press too hard when you brush - this can also damage gums and enamel.
However, many dentists and the Food and Drug Administration warn against using numbing agents like benzocaine, especially to treat sensitive teeth in small children.
If you do notice yourself grinding your teeth during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. [6] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source At night, hold a warm washcloth against your cheek, near your earlobe. These both relax your jaw. Try massaging your jaw and sticking to soft foods until the pain subsides.
Don’t use this as a long-term solution, however, as pain medications have side effects.
Tooth sensitivity may be cased by brushing too hard, dental decay, tooth fracture, dry mouth, diet, brushing too hard, acid reflux, gum infection, and more. Your dentist can offer treatments such as a fluoride varnish, a fluoride tray, prescription toothpaste, and/or a mouth guard.
Be careful: if you have any exposed nerves, do not touch them directly with the ice — this will only make the pain worse.
Combine water, salt, and a small amount of lime juice. Boil together and then allow to cool. Boil 4 to 5 guava leaves in water. Cool the solution until it is warm. Add salt. Add a few drops of olive oil to a 1/2 glass of water. Wheatgrass juice, which can be extracted at home or purchased, can be used as a mouthwash.
The antiseptic properties of cloves and clove oil can help reduce tooth pain. To make the oil, you can crush a clove into a small amount of olive oil. A paste of either crushed garlic or mustard oil mixed with rock salt may soothe the ache. Mix equal amounts of pepper and salt with water to make into a paste. Apply directly to your teeth for several days. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of the fennel-like herb asafetida in powdered form with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Warm and apply to affected area with a cotton ball.
Don’t brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes after eating acidic food. [10] X Research source Generally, fruits are the most acidic foods, followed by some vegetables, especially if they have been pickled.
Follow sugary drinks with milk or water to restore the pH balance in your mouth. Try to brush your teeth within 20 minutes of eating sugary foods. Consider using a straw, regardless of what you are drinking, so that your teeth have less contact with the liquid.
Talk to your doctor about switching to another medication if it is causing your dry mouth or ask if she can prescribe you Salagen, which increases saliva production. Quit using tobacco products. Drink lots of water and keep hydrated. Breathe through your nose and not your mouth.
If OTC treatments don’t work, ask your doctor about prescription medication to treat your acid reflux. These may include stronger H-2-receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors, or medications like Baclofen, which works on the lower esophageal sphincter, strengthening the muscle to prevent reflux. [16] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source In some cases, surgery may be necessary to control acid reflux. [17] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Some foods are also good at relieving pain when they are consumed raw, like spinach leaves or onions.
