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Three Ways That Sensitive Teeth Can Take a Toll on You

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Lots of people suffer from sensitive teeth at different times and for different reasons. You may notice some sensitivity when you eat something cold, such as ice cream, or something hot, such as soup. You may choose to treat the sensitivity with toothpaste for sensitive teeth or to simply ignore the problem, but it's a better idea to visit your local dentist for an assessment. Your dentist will determine the cause of the sensitive teeth and treat them accordingly. Here are three ways that untreated sensitive teeth can take a toll on you.

Dietary Changes

Most people enjoy being able to eat and drink what they want, when they want it, but this isn't always the case when you have sensitive teeth. As you contend with this issue, you may notice that you're frequently making changes to your diet to avoid the discomfort that comes with sensitive teeth. For example, if you typically enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning to help you get going, you might start to skip this beverage to avoid tooth discomfort. Or, if your friends invite you out for ice cream, you may decline because of concerns about your pain. It can be miserable for your teeth to dictate what you eat and drink, but a visit to your dentist can help you overcome this challenge.

Less Brushing

While those who buy toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth might brush frequently with this product, not everyone will take this approach. If your teeth are sensitive, you may notice that you start to brush less frequently, or that you brush with lighter pressure than usual. Your mindset may be that you don't want to aggravate the teeth and worsen your pain, but the downfall of taking this approach is that you aren't caring for your dental health in the right way. A long-term history of brushing sporadically or lightly to avoid hurting your sensitive teeth could lead to cavities and other dental issues.

Lifestyle Adjustments

For some people, food and drink isn't the only thing that can trigger their sensitive teeth. It's also possible to develop pain because of exposure to cold air—for example, if you were to go outside in the winter and take a deep breath of air through your mouth, you may notice that the coldness affects your sensitivity. You may soon realize that you're making lifestyle adjustments to avoid this pain. Perhaps you start to decline opportunities to go skating or skiing because you want to keep the pain at bay. Don't let your sensitive teeth take over your life like this. Consult your dentist at your earliest convenience.


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