How to Manage Temperature-Sensitive Teeth
A spoonful of steamy soup. A sip of hot coffee. If you have sensitive teeth, these everyday hot foods and drinks can unexpectedly trigger a jolt of pain fast. This pain is the result of enamel wearing away over time, exposing the soft, inner part of the tooth, where the nerves live. Certain triggers—including hot foods and drinks—can aggravate these nerves, causing sensitive teeth.
Here are a few tips on how to manage your sensitive teeth to hot foods and drinks.
Beat THE Heat
3 Tips for Eating and Drinking Hot Foods and Drinks
Before taking a sip or bite of something hot, let it sit for a few minutes to reach room temperature.
Add an ice cube to hot drinks and soups to help cool them off.
Pair hot foods and drinks that are acidic, like tomato soup or tea with lemon, with nonacidic foods like cheese, water, or bread. An acidic diet can contribute to enamel erosion and lead to increased sensitivity.
3 Ways to Update Your Oral Care Routine
1. Brush twice every day with a toothpaste that provides 24/7 sensitivity protection, like Sensodyne, for lasting relief.
2. Avoid brushing for 1 hour after eating or drinking acidic foods. This is when tooth enamel is at its softest, making it more vulnerable to eroding.
3. Talk to your dentist about an in-office fluoride treatment to help decrease sensitivity and strengthen your enamel. These generally take a few minutes and include application of a high concentration of fluoride solution, gel, foam, or varnish onto your teeth with a cotton swab, brush, or rinse.
