Sansation

Try this online oral health application. Should take around 5mins.

Tooth sensitivity

Some steps you can take to prevent tooth sensitivity include:

• Maintain good oral hygiene. Continue to follow proper brushing and flossing techniques to thoroughly clean all parts of your teeth and mouth.
• Use a soft bristled toothbrush. This will result in less toothbrush abrasion to the tooth surface and less irritation to your gums. Brush gently and carefully around the gum line so you do not remove more gum tissue.
• Use desensitizing toothpaste. There are several brands of toothpaste available for sensitive teeth. With regular use you should notice a decrease in sensitivity. You may need to try several different brands to find the product that works best for you. Another tip. spread a thin layer of the toothpaste on the exposed tooth roots with your finger or a Q-tip before you go to bed. Do not use a tartar control toothpaste; rather, use a fluoridated toothpaste.
• Watch what you eat. Frequent consumption of highly acid foods can gradually dissolve tooth enamel and lead to dentin exposure. They may also aggravate the sensitivity and start the pain reaction.
• Use fluoridated dental products. Daily use of a fluoridated mouth rinse can decrease sensitivity. Ask your dentist about available products for home use.
• Avoid teeth grinding. If you grind or clench your teeth, use a mouth guard at night.
• See your dentist at regular intervals. Get professional tooth cleaning, oral hygiene instructions, and fluoride treatments every six months (or sooner depending on your condition).

If you still have discomfort, talk to your dentist. There may be some dental procedures that may help reduce sensitivity, including the use of:

• White fillings (bonding) to cover exposed root surfaces
• Fluoride varnishes applied to the exposed root surface
• Dentin sealers applied to the exposed root surface

• To help prevent dental erosion, it is recommended you avoid brushing for at least 60 minutes after eating or drinking acidic foods or drinks. Consuming acidic foods and drinks leaves the enamel softened and more prone to erosion through brushing.
• Avoid sipping acidic drinks like orange juice, sodas (both sweetened and diet) and wine over long periods of time. Minimize contact of such drinks with your teeth’s surface by drinking them with a straw and not swishing them around in your mouth.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste with low abrasivity, such as Colgate® Sensitive Enamel Protect™, or any of the Sensodyne range (with the except of the orginal)

The effects of acid erosion can affect all ages and, once present, cannot be reversed – protection is the best policy.

What you can do

• Avoid brushing teeth immediately after consuming acidic food or drinks – it’s best to wait as long as possible.
• Drink acidic drinks quickly – don’t swish them around or hold them for long periods within your mouth
• Brush twice a day, every day, with a toothpaste likeSensodyne Pronamel or Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening to help re-harden softened tooth enamel

Signs

Teeth may look healthy

Dentist’s torch may show transparency (light adjusted to show clinical situation).

What to look out for

Early stages:

• sensitivity when consuming hot or cold food and drinks;
• a rounded look on the surface of the tooth;
• a slight yellow appearance as the tooth becomes thinner and the underlying dentine shows through.

Later stages:

• darker yellow appearance of the teeth;
• transparency at the edges;
• sensitivity becoming more severe;
• small dents on the tooth surface.

The effects of acid erosion cannot be reversed & if left to advance may require treatment from the dentist to restore & protect the affected teeth. In very extreme cases the damage caused may require affected teeth to be extracted.

Acidity and erosion

What is enamel?
Tooth enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance of the body, and is one of the four major tissues which make up the tooth. It is the normally visible dental tissue of a tooth and is supported by underlying dentin.

What is enamel erosion?
Enamel erosion is the irreversible loss of tooth tissue due mainly to exposure to acid.

What causes enamel erosion?
The main cause of enamel erosion is exposure of the teeth to acids. Sources of acid exposure can be intrinsic (from within your body) or extrinsic (from outside your body). People at risk from intrinsic acid exposure include those who experience gastric reflux or recurrent vomiting. Extrinsic acid can be found in some of our most popular everyday foods and drinks. Examples include citrus fruits, apples, pickles, vinegar, sodas (both sweetened and diet), wine and orange juice.