8 Home Remedies to Ease Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth pain is almost unbearable. The pain due to tooth sensitivity makes life difficult as you may also experience problems with drinking and eating food. If your tooth pain is severe, then you should visit a dentist. However, you can try these home remedies to ease your tooth sensitivity if the pain is mild. ~ Ed.

Sensitive teeth can be an annoying pain – especially when drinking or chewing food. The sharp, tingly pain ranges from mild to severe and can affect the way you live your everyday life.

You might avoid hot drinks or cold foods and be wary of trying new things for fear of it triggering your sensitivity.

If you find yourself suffering from niggling sensitivity around the gums and teeth, it may be worth trying out any of these eight home remedies.

Otherwise, if the pain is severe, make sure to book an appointment with your dentist right away. If you’re anywhere near Vaughan, then dental practices like Vellore Woods Dentistry have trained staff who can spot possible causes of tooth sensitivity and create a treatment plan.

Read on to learn how you can decrease your tooth sensitivity at home.

8 Tips to Ease Tooth Sensitivity

Sensitive teeth pain can make life miserable. If it is mild, then you can try home remedies like clove gel, honey, or desensitizing toothpaste. Here are more ways to bring temporary relief to your pain due to tooth sensitivity.

Salt-Water Rinse

Salt has antiseptic properties and has been used to treat wounds and ailments for centuries. It also helps with inflammation and eases any bacterial sores by dehydrating the bacteria.

To combat tooth sensitivity, experts recommend doing an oral salt-water rinse about twice a day to get effective results. This is incredibly easy to do:

• Add ½ to ¾ of salt to a glass of lukewarm water- make sure you mix it all and there’s no salt residue at the bottom of the cup

• Rinse your mouth with the solution for a minute. Spit out when you’re done and do not swallow. 

A Desensitizing Toothpaste

This is always a great way to tackle sensitive teeth. Desensitizing toothpaste contains potassium nitrate, which shields the teeth’s nerve endings from any irritants. Potassium nitrate also works to block pain signals from the nerve to the brain, so you’re less likely to feel any pain.

There are many kinds of toothpaste on the market aimed at people who suffer from sensitive teeth. Try some out and see which brand makes the best difference for you. You will have to use the paste twice a day for a few weeks to notice any improvement, so stick with it.

Honey and Warm Water

Another well-known toothache and sensitivity treatment is humble honey and water. Honey, with its antibacterial properties, dissolved in hot water speeds up healing, eases inflammation, and assists in easing pain. Try drinking a mixture every evening – not only is it soothing, but it could help desensitize your teeth and gums.

Simply mix a spoonful of honey into warm water, making sure it’s not too hot. Add a splash of lemon for taste (this combination is also a great cure for a sore throat!). 

Hydrogen Peroxide

Again, hydrogen peroxide is pretty much a great antiseptic and disinfectant, easing any swelling caused by inflammation. Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used as a mouth rinse, so it’s easy to use.

• Add 2 caps of 3% hydrogen peroxide to warm water

• Swish the solution in your mouth for a total of 30 seconds – being careful not to swallow any of the mixtures

• Rinse your mouth with water after spitting the solution out

Hydrogen peroxide is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory system, so take extra care when using it. Do not let it come into contact with skin, eyes, or hair, and don’t swallow it. If you do, seek immediate medical attention. It can also bleach fabrics and clothing, so when using it, wear old clothes and keep away from carpets and furnishings. 

Tea

Teas, especially green tea, are anti-inflammatory and filled with antioxidants. These natural beverages are a great way to ease swelling while soothing your health. 

Make sure to drink the tea warm, but not too hot. You don’t want to overstimulate your sensitive nerves around your teeth which can cause pain. You can also use unsweetened green tea as a mouthwash twice daily. However, you should also be aware that tea can lead to teeth staining, so monitor your intake if you want to keep your teeth pearly white. 

Turmeric

Turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory. With its special ingredient, curcumin, you can ingest it in powdered form (mixed with milk and drank warm), or in tea (mixed with warm water). Turmeric also comes fresh as a root, which you can slice or grate.

Consider making a turmeric paste, which can be applied directly to the sensitive area. You can also blend it into a smoothie, grate it onto scrambled eggs, thinly slice it into coleslaw or salads, pickle it, and more! Look up some fresh turmeric recipes online to spice up your cooking and reduce tooth sensitivity at the same time. 

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is great for relieving pain and reducing inflammation- although it’s not very well known for this purpose (except to relieve pain when babies are teething).

Apply some vanilla extract onto a cotton ball and press onto your painful gums. You can apply as and when it’s needed. Not only can it soothe sensitive teeth and gums, but it tastes lovely too!

Clove Gel

This is a great natural treatment for sensitive teeth and can be picked up in pharmacies inexpensively. Clove has been used for centuries to aid with a toothache.

Apply the gel topically to the gums to relieve the pain. It may cause some numbness- but it should also provide some relief. While it temporarily helps toothache pain, it doesn’t treat the problem. Visit your dentist if the issue persists. 

The Bottom Line

Tooth sensitivity can really get you down, but don’t let it. There are plenty of routes you can take to treat the problem.

Take care to use a gentle toothbrush, and don’t brush your teeth too hard. And remember, while sensitive teeth can be annoying and painful, usually the problem should resolve with some topical care. However, I recommend a dentist visit anyway to make sure your teeth are in good condition and there’s not a more serious underlying issue.

If home remedies (or aspirin) don’t seem to be working, make an appointment with your dentist today.

Over to you

Did you ever have tooth sensitivity? How did you ease your teeth pain? Share your tips and experiences in the comments.