Your teeth can ache at uncertain times. Going to a dentist is not always possible for a quick tooth sensitivity checkup.
So what should you do when your tooth starts aching in the middle of the night? You should think about relieving that pain with what you have at hand.
Sometimes dealing with the triggers and causes behind the sensitive teeth helps too.
This article discusses the remedies for dealing with a sudden bout of pain in your sensitive teeth.
Keep reading to know how you can reach for an immediate cure in your house when a toothache disturbs your sleep.
Causes Behind Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitivity stems from the enamel of your teeth wearing down. The enamel can weaken because of several reasons including:
- Improper oral hygiene
- Eating and drinking unhealthy acidic foods
- Teeth grinding
However, it can also wear down because of tooth decay and cavities inside your teeth.
So does gingivitis reduce your enamel as teeth are covered with plaque resulting in receding gums.
Moreover, procedures like teeth whitening scrape some of the pellicle and can wear down the enamel.
Teeth whitening kits at home may not contain anti-sensitivity agents such as Amorphous Calcium Phosphate that those at the dentist’s office have. Therefore, causing sensitivity.
You may not know but brushing teeth harshly can also wear down your enamel, therefore, dentists recommend that you brush only gently.
Once the enamel wears down it exposes the dentin. The dentin is the darker portion of the tooth structure.
Thus if you have a weak enamel your teeth will become dark yellow in certain places.
Liquids and gases can pass more easily through the dentin than through the enamel.
Underneath the dentin is the dental pulp that contains nerve endings.
When the dentin is already exposed, food and drinks can reach the nerve endings and blood vessels in the dental pulp.
When the nerve endings sense a trigger such as hot and cold drinks then it results in sharp pain.
Therefore, it all begins from your enamel weakening and wearing down because of diet, poor oral health or bad oral habits.
Now that you know what’s causing it, let’s find out how you can treat it immediately using remedies.
Home Remedies Found Within Your Kitchen
Salt Water
Mixing half a tablespoon of salt to about a glass of water will make a saltwater rinse. The water should only be lukewarm.
Use this rinse like a mouthwash because research suggests it may actually be equally beneficial in fighting against plaque and bacteria.
If you feel immediate pain, all you need to do is to swish this mixture in your mouth for about 30 seconds and then rinse.
Especially target the area that hurts. Salt not only fights plaque but its antiseptic properties also reduce inflammation.
Besides saltwater rinse, you can also use another homemade rinse to get rid of the pain. And that is…
Using Honey and Water
Mixing a spoon of honey in warm water and using it as a rinse can relieve pain.
Honey is used for wound healing and management. It also reduces inflammation and acts as an antibacterial agent.
It speeds up the healing of any wounds that are causing sensitivity.
Other than rinses, you can also use spices. Yes, while you should not eat more spicy food, some spices are actually good for your oral health.
Such as:
Turmeric and Capsaicin
Curcumin in turmeric relieves pain. Moreover, turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and pain.
You can directly massage turmeric powder onto your teeth and gums or you can make a paste with water.
Mix a teaspoon of turmeric with half a teaspoon of salt and mustard oil to rub gently onto your gums and teeth twice a day. Or you can also simply mix turmeric with water.
Moreover, capsaicin is a chilly compound present in chili peppers that gives them their taste.
The analgesic properties of capsaicin can treat burning mouth syndrome and other problems with the mouth.
This is because it is thought to numb the nerve fibers thus hindering the pathway of delivering the pain signals.
Therefore, you can apply it either in gel form or use it as a mouth rinse.
It can help alleviate the pain even if it may slightly sting and burn while you apply it.
Clove, Garlic and Guava Leaves
Clove is also considered a spice and is a popular remedy for treating toothache.
Either you can apply clove oil, clove gel or You can either place a clove directly in the place where it hurts or you can apply the oil or gel.
The gel is as effective as benzocaine which numbs your gums before the dentist injects it.
Therefore, it can numb your pain too when you feel that sudden sensitivity.
Chewing on a piece of garlic helps to relieve toothache. It contains compound allicin that has antimicrobial properties reducing the bacteria that causes oral health problems.
This is why garlic has been a folk remedy to treat toothache and other health problems.
Its antimicrobial properties decrease S. mutans in your mouth which is largely responsible for decay. Decay can lead to sensitive teeth by wearing down the enamel.
If you chew it then your enamel will be at lesser risk of erosion.
A gel of guava leaves or chewing the leaves can relieve the pain as it is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.
Vanilla Extract and Green Tea Extracts
These two extracts can soothe pain too. Vanilla extract can reduce pain when babies begin teething.
It has antiseptic properties. Simply dip a cotton ball in the extract and apply it to the place that hurts.
Keep it in place for a few minutes and repeat it when required.
Green tea extract contains antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, that can fight bacteria and reduce swelling.
You can take green tea without flavors or sugar and use it as a rinse. It not only decreases inflammation but also strengthens your teeth.
Using Commercial Products for Tooth Sensitivity
Fluoride Toothpaste
Sensitive teeth result from cavities and decay.
If the decay keeps increasing then the enamel erodes so one way to limit sensitivity is to decrease the chances of getting a cavity.
You can also apply a fluoride gel or use a mouthwash to rinse your mouth.
Also, they work well with desensitizing agents.
Desensitizing agents
These are usually toothpaste or gels with ingredients that help to protect the nerve endings.
One such agent is potassium nitrate that blocks pain signals from nerves.
Therefore, your brain does not register pain.
Moreover, they make the porous dentin less permeable. Thus, the liquids and gases do not pass from it to the nerve endings that easily.
As a result, sensitivity and pain reduction over time. These agents are oxalates, potassium and nitrates.
Complement a fluoride mouth rinse with a desensitizing toothpaste.
Hydrogen Peroxide as a Disinfectant
Hydrogen Peroxide helps to whiten teeth however, it is also an antiseptic and disinfectant.
Therefore, as a mouth rinse it can promote gum healing and reduce inflammation.
You can use a commercial mouth rinse with hydrogen peroxide or you could dilute a 3 percent peroxide solution with equal parts of water.
Spit and rinse the solution after thoroughly swishing it in your mouth to get rid of the pain.
Coconut Oil Pulling
Another remedy for removing bacteria and inflammation is oil pulling using coconut oil, sesame oil or sunflower oil.
Swishing it in your mouth helps to reduce plaque, and eliminate gingivitis.
If gingivitis decreases then there are fewer chances of gum recession which can in return lead to sensitivity.
These commercial and homemade products can act as a remedy for keeping your teeth clean.
If teeth are cleaner then there is a decreased risk of pain and sensitivity.
How to Prevent Sensitive Teeth?
While it is best to see a dentist when you feel sensitivity, you can also use remedies to soothe the pain in the moment.
If the pain persists then it is time to go and see your doctor as it may be indicating a more serious problem at hand.
Though it will never come to this if you take care of your oral hygiene beforehand.
This involves brushing twice daily that too with a fluoride paste and flossing once a day.
Also, do not whiten teeth extensively especially at home. Take breaks in between because whitening can increase sensitivity.
You should also get rid of unhealthy habits such as smoking, and consuming more sugars, starches, acids and spices.
If you tend to grind your teeth then wear a mouthguard at night to protect your teeth and your enamel from wearing out.
Also, you would want to reduce or completely quit your alcohol consumption.
If you start taking good care of your oral hygiene then you may not find the need to ever look for these remedies.
However, they are great for reducing your pain instantly. Thus you can use them to deal with the discomfort quickly.
It is always a more viable option to visit your dentist when you feel the condition of your teeth and the pain is worsening.
Thye can either recommend a desensitizing agent, fluoride toothpaste, or other dental procedures such as root canal, crown or a gum graft.
Thus do not prolong your pain and either use these remedies for tooth sensitivity or consult your dentist.
