Sensitive teeth & some solutions to being long in the tooth!

Are you "long in the tooth?" 
Do you show too much tooth when you smile? 
Do you have

• Sensitive teeth? 
• Receded gums?
• One long tooth which looks unsightly?
• Sensitive, exposed tooth roots?

Here is some helpful advice for you

• Don’t brush with a sideways scrubbing action
• Change to an electric tooth brush e.g Braun/Oral B or perhaps Sonicaire

There is a wide range to suit all preferences. Our Dental Therapist, Laura or Hygienist , Nicky can help you decide.

• Reduce sensitivity by using one of several de-sensitizing toothpastes such as Sensodyne or the new Colgate Pro-Relief. 

The innovative Tooth Mousse may also help reduce sensitivity.

Dietary issues
Try to  reduce your acidic food and drink:
The obvious ones if you have these often are...
Citrus fruit, esp lemons/lemon juice,grapefruit juice.vinegar and yogurt, some fruit or green teas

Less obvious ones
“Sharp” tomatoes and fizzy drinks (including sugar free ones) Even fizzy water is a little acidic.
When taken hot, the acid effect on teeth is speeded up- beware hot Ribena for example.

All of these have foods and drinks have worthwhile health benefits but IF your teeth are very sensitive then its best to stop eating drinking these things, for a while at least. When you do have an acidic drink or food, then follow up with some plain water but DO NOT brush your teeth as this can assist in causing more rapid enamel thinning.

Using a fluoride mouthwash can toughen the enamel against the acid attack as well as reducing tooth decay.

All of these ideas are very important for your dental health and comfort BUT none of them can re-cover the exposed tooth with new gum - but guess what? We may be able to do this for you, in the right situations.

21st century solution to receded gums

In the right situation we can, using proven “micro-plastic gum surgery”, cover over the exposed/ long tooth or teeth, greatly improving your smile and making the tooth or teeth look more youthful, as well as reducing or eliminating sensitivity more permanently.
This site gives a useful overview of the situation, without being too scary!

This site is from a US dental practice which presents the issues nicely.
Some of the exact details may vary with us as we choose the technique to suit not only each person but each tooth or group of teeth.

I hope you have found this useful

Please call us now on 01635 47757 for a free initial consultation or e-mail chris@newburydentist.co.uk to arrange a discussion to see if we can help you.