Sensitive teeth - help please.

[Ovinnik]

My teeth hurt. Not badly, but uncomfortable. My dentist is great - has done x-rays, examinations etc - there's nothing clinically he can do. My dental hygiene is excellent apparently - I use an electric toothbrush and floss.

But they are still sore.

I've been recommended mouth-washes and toothpastes, which I use. Don't seem to make any difference.

Any advice?

I understand how you feel ☹️.
It feels like I'm in a constant battle with sensitive teeth (for me, mainly in one place in particular, though not always).
The only thing that works for me is using Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste with a very soft brush, plus rubbing the toothpaste into my gums afterwards and just trying to keep on top of it.
I have also started using Luvbiotics dental health tablets, but am not sure if they're making any difference yet.
I'm hoping someone can suggest an easier solution!

I find not all sensitive pastes are the same. Some work by numbing and others try to repair the microscopic holes that cause the sensitivity. I use both.

To get on top of the sensitivity, I use one with Potassium Nitrate or Potassium Citrate listed in the ingredients. Most Sensodyne's have this. (Also, Tesco Pro Formula Sensitive, which is only £1.)

Once I've reduced the sensitivity, I alternate with a repairing paste, in the hope it works. It hasn't yet, so I still need the numbing type.

Also, be careful with mouthwash (or generally rinsing after brushing). It doesn't seem to have any numbing qualities and if used immediately after brushing, will wash away the toothpaste's ingredients.

Thank you - and @hedgehoglurker.

We're very badly designed.

Colgate Sensitive Instant Relief. Transformed my teeth. I'd tried all the other brands. Leave a bit of the toothpaste on you teeth at night if you can bear it and it'll give you a head start.
I can now eat ice cream etc

I would lay off the electric brush, I have to use a hand one and loads of Sensodyne

The only thing that worked for me is Colgate Sensitive Instant Relief.

I use oragel toothpaste. It's not easy to find and it's about a fiver a tube but it's better than any other toothpaste I've used.

My dentist said that my tooth sensitivity is caused by grinding at night. He showed me on the x ray how the ligaments were inflamed. That's why sensitive tooth paste wasn't working for me as it addresses a different problem due to teeny holes in the enamel.

The treatments are mouth guard at night, having your bite altered with orthodontics and Botox in the masseter muscles. I haven't had any treatment yet as only learned about this last week.

I came to say this re sensodyne. My dentist queried which type of sensodyne I was using and I wasn't even aware there was a choice. My sensitivity improved with the repair and protect version. It took a few weeks and it's still not perfect but much better

I also rate this toothpaste!! Brilliant in reducing my sensitivity, even after I also had my teeth whitened

I'll get some of the Colgate. Thanks for the recommendation.

Most sensitivity is caused by either
acid damage eg fruit teas , diet fizzy drinks, hot water and lemon, stomach issues, certain whitening products

wear , eg tooth grinding, tooth brushing too hard , abrasive toothpastes particularly whitening or smoking

decay or gum disease.

If you have sorted out the cause sensitive toothpastes are the way to go. Sensodyne, Colgate and biomin are the main ones that help BUT don't use them as a toothpaste. Brush normally then last thing at night rub the sensitive toothpaste in and don't rinse. That way it has time to "soak" into the tooth, otherwise you're just spitting it down the sink.

My dentist said stick with whichever sensitive toothpaste you use, do not try lots of different types, because they work differently.
He did recommend Sensodyne, but as I'm already using Colgate I'm afraid of changing in case the sensitivity gets worse again

Yes.
I had the same, teeth were driving me mad so I purchased some
sensodyne toothpaste for the repair of dentyne. Sorry, can't remember the name of it but if you ring your dental surgery, someone will be able to advise you.

Also, I purchased an orthodontal toothbrush. Don't get the knock off ones off amazon, which are cheaper, they are crap as I use them for cleaning taps.

It is a wisdom interdental brush and it has the appearance of a spike. It is not like a normal brush but with a portion of bristles which arch to a spike.

Hope my description helps.

So, everytime you brush, use your normal toothbrush and keep the toothpaste in your mouth.

Then starting in one tooth at a time, draw the ortho toothbrush a few times under the gum line. Do this with every tooth, upper and lower, inside and out.

Hate to gross you out but when the toothpaste in your mouth turns yellow, its working. This happened only once with me.

Then just rinse with a good mouthwash.

I started with a new dentist only 3 weeks after following the steps above and she was very suprised at how clean my teeth are, as I forgot to mention the new toothbrush!

This will help, just allow extra time to brush your teeth.

Do not rinse with a mouthwash . It rinses away all the tooth paste (rendering sensitivity treatment useless) but also mouthwash interacts with toothpaste rendering both useless.

Over 90% of mouthwashes are classed as cosmetics because there is no evidence they are clinically effective.

The only mouthwashes that should be used are ones containing chlorhexidine , when prescribed by your dentist, for short term use only and used two hours after brushing teeth.

I get 'sensitive teeth' when I'm really stressed. Took me a while to work this out (just thought I suddenly had hideously sensitive teeth) but noticed that if I was distracted (eg: at work or with friends) they didn't hurt... but as soon as I started to drive home they would start aching. It was very strange (and coincided with a difficult time in my life). I do clench my jaw and grind my teeth (but wear a night guard) so it does make sense. I now work hard to relax my jaw when I feel stressed, as well as try to distract myself - and it seems to be really helping. Might be the same for you?

I’m prone to sensitive teeth and my dentist/dental hygienist applies a thin floride coating which lasts and is very helpful.

Fluoride

Thanks - there are some really good ideas here for me to try.

My dentist prescribes Duraphat toothpaste.

My teeth are suddenly more sensitive - I almost don’t enjoy eating anymore 🥲 there is no pain - just sensitivity. How do you know if you grind your teeth - is it only your dentist who can tell you - I was recently given special toothpaste on prescription by my dentist for sensitivity in one area and I think it’s got worse all over my teeth since then - so I’m going to try the Colgate one people have mentioned 👍

My dentist could tell about the grinding because of the pattern of wear on the front teeth, and also it made sense when I thought about waking up sometimes with a headache. Do you have a partner who you could ask to look at you while you sleep?

My son does it and I can hear it very clearly.

I live alone so - unless the cat could tell me 🤣 I don’t tend to wake with a headache only if I’m v tired and a dentist has never told me. It may be an age thing ?