Sensitive teeth/gum sufferers....

[Meractik]

I am experiencing extreme tooth sensitivity. I have a very bad habit of brushing to hard. I suffer from pretty bad receding gums which makes the sensitivity worse near the gum-line. I already brush with sensodyne and it does help but I am looking for a replacement toothbrush (non-electric) that has super duper soft bristles and is big enough for adult mouths.... Anyone else have similar issues or could possibly offer me suggestions.... I have been using the standard soft tooth brush bought from the stores but its not soft enough and is painful when brushing around my sensitive areas....

http://sale.dentist.net/products/dr-collins-perio-toothbrush

I was thinking about this one, any other suggestions OT?

 

[Gibson486]

Isn't receding gums a sign if gum disease? time to see a dentist?

 

[chusteczka]

I have had sensitive teeth for several years now and I thought it was due to brushing hard. The Colgate Total toothbrush has worked well for me.

I have resisted using Sensodyne because I wanted my nerves to get used to the pain over time, rather than using a product that would act like a crutch and make me dependent upon it.

It turned out that I was building plaque/calculus on my teeth at the gumline. This plaque was too hard and deep into the gums to be removed by normal cleaning. This plaque was causing my gums to recede and pull away from the root of my teeth. The receding gums then provided more free space for more plaque to develop.

My dentist recommended root planing. The typical cost is $900-$1200. Root planing is basically a deep or more thorough cleaning than normal. Because the teeth are sensitive, deep cleaning requires numbing the gums.

I had my teeth root planed one year ago. Two weeks later, after my gums relaxed from the cleaning, my gums returned higher, my sensitivity decreased dramatically, and my teeth felt cleaner than I could remember. It was like magic. My teeth felt clean and the sensitivity was substantially reduced.

I recommend a hygienist with a sonic cleaner, rather than physically scraping the teeth. This makes it go much easier for all involved.

Do not worry about the possibility of sonic cleaning causing any fillings to loosen. If fillings are loosed by sonic cleaning, then they were loose and needed to be replaced to begin with.

I highly recommend you get your teeth root planed. It is well worth the cost. It is like adding another 15-20 years of life to your teeth.

 

[Meractik]

Isn't receding gums a sign if gum disease? time to see a dentist?

Not necessarily, I know the reason I have receding gums is because I had braces for years and it left me with a habit of brushing to hard, it got carried away and now they're receded which ads to sensitivity. Once your gums recede and that gum is worn away, it does not grow back. I already had a gum graph done at the dentist from taking skin from the roof of my mouth and patching it to the gum line hoping that the irritation would stimulate the gum to regrow over the patched area, its hit or miss as to whether the graph works (just like organ transplants) and well my mouth did not take to the graph and it died.

gum disease can cause the gum line to recede but it is not the soul reason for which a gum line might recede, neither is actual gum line receding indicative of having any specific disease.

 

[Meractik]

I have had sensitive teeth for several years now and I thought it was due to brushing hard. The Colgate Total toothbrush has worked well for me.

I have resisted using Sensodyne because I wanted my nerves to get used to the pain over time, rather than using a product that would act like a crutch and make me dependent upon it.

It turned out that I was building plaque/calculus on my teeth at the gumline. This plaque was too hard and deep into the gums to be removed by normal cleaning. This plaque was causing my gums to recede and pull away from the root of my teeth. The receding gums then provided more free space for more plaque to develop.

My dentist recommended root planing. The typical cost is $900-$1200. Root planing is basically a deep or more thorough cleaning than normal. Because the teeth are sensitive, deep cleaning requires numbing the gums.

I had my teeth root planed one year ago. Two weeks later, after my gums relaxed from the cleaning, my gums returned higher, my sensitivity decreased dramatically, and my teeth felt cleaner than I could remember. It was like magic. My teeth felt clean and the sensitivity was substantially reduced.

I recommend a hygienist with a sonic cleaner, rather than physically scraping the teeth. This makes it go much easier for all involved.

Do not worry about the possibility of sonic cleaning causing any fillings to loosen. If fillings are loosed by sonic cleaning, then they were loose and needed to be replaced to begin with.

I highly recommend you get your teeth root planed. It is well worth the cost. It is like adding another 15-20 years of life to your teeth.

That is all some very good information. I had my teeth cleaned with a regular cleaning back in September. They noticed the receding gum line but pretty much heard about my history with the surgery of gum graphs and said its pretty much pointless to try it again unless I want to waste money.

Would it be safe to assume that all the cleanings I have had done previously where not actual 'root planing' cleanings since my gum line was never numbed? Only time I can remember any sort of numbing was when I was having teeth pulled or something when I got Novocaine injections directly into the gums...

I am very fortunate to have some pretty healthy teeth, only one cavity and my teeth are pretty strong except for the tooth receding gum area, that area is super super sensitive and is the only real area that i would like to do my best to remedy the situation... I don't smoke or do anything else that causes the rest of my teeth or mouth any substantial risk for diseases etc, I even floss daily so my gums do not bleed very much since they are used to it.

 

[chusteczka]

I am unable to answer your question further than the info I already provided. Your history and cause for sensitivity seems to be different from mine. It may be good to ask your dentist.

You mention flossing. Before the root planing, I would floss and my gums would bleed. No matter how often I flossed, my gums would bleed. After the root planing, I can floss without causing my gums to bleed.

 

[edro]

Do you floss every day? Do you use mouth wash every day?
If you don't floss, gums can get inflamed and cause more sensitivity.

Your case sounds different with receding gums though.

 

[sdifox]

get a waterpik. The one with a tank. Receeding gum is sign of gingevitis.

 

[Meractik]

Do you floss every day? Do you use mouth wash every day?
If you don't floss, gums can get inflamed and cause more sensitivity.

Your case sounds different with receding gums though.

I agree, and while it used to be a problem where I did not floss I have fixed that by flossing regularly twice a day everyday for the past 2 years. Same with mouth wash, my issue is truely due to brushing to hard, the damage is done and unfortunately for me gums do not grow back I am just trying to find things to make brushing/cleaning more comfortable given my situation.

 

[Meractik]

get a waterpik. The one with a tank. Receeding gum is sign of gingevitis.

You are incorrect. While someone with gingevitis can have receeding gums, it does not mean if you have receeding gums that you have gingevitis. I have gone to the dentist and they are aware of my gums, they acknowledge and agree that I do not have gingevitis but just a damaged gum line due to my own habits of brushing to hard.

 

[Broheim]

I don't normally have sensitive teeth, but one time I accidentally bought some colgate sensitive teeth toothpaste or whatever it's called, and being the broke ass student I was/am, I wasn't about to just throw it out and waste money that could be spent on beer. Huge mistake though because after using it, even just looking at a cold drink would cause my teeth to ache something awful. It was quite the paradox...

 

[Meractik]

I don't normally have sensitive teeth, but one time I accidentally bought some colgate sensitive teeth toothpaste or whatever it's called, and being the broke ass student I was/am, I wasn't about to just throw it out and waste money that could be spent on beer. Huge mistake though because after using it, even just looking at a cold drink would cause my teeth to ache something awful. It was quite the paradox...

I think I am starting to feel the same affects with Sensodyne. While it helped at first I think since ive been using it for like 4 months now its making things worse.... I think I will switch back to something else and let my teeth build up their tolerance. I still to this date though do not drink anything with ice in it. Now at a drive-thru or a restaurant, I always order 'No Ice' and yet sometimes they neglect to honor that request and I make sure their tip reflects their carelessness to listen to the customer.

I might have to go the chusteczka route though and go back to normal toothpaste and just let my nerves get used to it, I think sensodyne is becoming like a crutch like they said....

 

[Born2bwire]

Why not get an electric toothbrush? Many models now have indicators to alert you if you are brushing too hard.

 

[shopbruin]

Not necessarily, I know the reason I have receding gums is because I had braces for years and it left me with a habit of brushing to hard, it got carried away and now they're receded which ads to sensitivity. Once your gums recede and that gum is worn away, it does not grow back. I already had a gum graph done at the dentist from taking skin from the roof of my mouth and patching it to the gum line hoping that the irritation would stimulate the gum to regrow over the patched area, its hit or miss as to whether the graph works (just like organ transplants) and well my mouth did not take to the graph and it died.

gum disease can cause the gum line to recede but it is not the soul reason for which a gum line might recede, neither is actual gum line receding indicative of having any specific disease.

My perio told me that the braces could have also aggravated my gum loss. I have an appointment for one graft soon and will probably get a second this year.

I do use an electric toothbrush though, which has helped with overall gum health. It forces me to brush for 2 minutes, and I've learned not to hold it so tight or press so hard with it against my gums.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Do you drink lot of pop? The acid wears out the enamel. Worse: orange juice. If you will drink those try to drink water after or rinse your mouth. Otherwise it slowly eats away.

The WORSE thing you can do is brush your teeth straight after drinking something like that too. Think of what happens if you put paint thinner on a painted surface and then use a brush on it.

 

[Meractik]

Do you drink lot of pop? The acid wears out the enamel. Worse: orange juice. If you will drink those try to drink water after or rinse your mouth. Otherwise it slowly eats away.

The WORSE thing you can do is brush your teeth straight after drinking something like that too. Think of what happens if you put paint thinner on a painted surface and then use a brush on it.

not really pop or orange juice, coffee though... I am guilty of drinking an awful lot of black coffee.... or teas... other than that mostly water.

 

[Meractik]

My perio told me that the braces could have also aggravated my gum loss. I have an appointment for one graft soon and will probably get a second this year.

I do use an electric toothbrush though, which has helped with overall gum health. It forces me to brush for 2 minutes, and I've learned not to hold it so tight or press so hard with it against my gums.

goodluck! braces definately contributed to my gum loss. My teeth would not feel clean at all with the braces unless I brushed hard. I got into that habit and it stuck once the braces where taken off...

 

[Meractik]

Why not get an electric toothbrush? Many models now have indicators to alert you if you are brushing too hard.

My teeth do not feel clean if i use them, its more of a hassle because I end up brushing a lot longer and the batteries wear-out or always end up draining quickly.

 

[Born2bwire]

My teeth do not feel clean if i use them, its more of a hassle because I end up brushing a lot longer and the batteries wear-out or always end up draining quickly.

Most people should probably be brushing longer, its recommended that you brush for 2 minutes and since many electrics have timers they encourage more consistent proper behavior.

 

[Meractik]

Most people should probably be brushing longer, its recommended that you brush for 2 minutes and since many electrics have timers they encourage more consistent proper behavior.

because of my horrible habit I started holding my toothbrush with the tip of my fingers using my thumb, index, and middle finger only to hold it. When i brush like that instead of like im holding a cereal spoon then I use less force..

 

[DrDoug]

I've had problems with sensitive teeth for years and went the usual routes to do something about it and some others my dentist suggested, all to no avail. I won't go in to how I arrived at my current solution because it's too damned long and boring, but I've solved my problems by chewing Trident Recaldent gum and brushing with Sensodyne Repair & Protect tooth paste. Any time I eat or drink something that triggers tooth pain I just chew the gum until the pain stops. Most times one piece is enough though sometimes it may take two or even three pieces (one after the other). Last year my wife went to the dentist with a sensitive tooth and after checking it, he referred her to an Endodontist. When she came home and told me, I gave her some gum and told her to start using the toothpaste (as it has twice the fluoride of US toothpastes). The gum almost immediately alleviated her tooth pain she has been using it since. Her dentist saw her a week later for cleaning and told her to "keep doing what you are doing" and canceled her appointment with the Endodontist. When I first started using this regimen I chewed more gum than I have to now due to the regular use of the toothpaste (it has NovaMin - CPP/ACP). This works for us and though I do have to order the gum and toothpaste from overseas, every shipment has been problem free except for the first shipment of toothpaste.

I ordered four tubes and they sent sixteen.

 

[sdifox]

Waterpik and mouthwash (Peridex) are what you need. Gigevitis is not from brushing too hard. May want to talk to dentist about laser treatment.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorhexidine

 

[ctbaars]

Nice Necro?

I use Sensodyne because of my molars.

 

[rh71]

get a waterpik. The one with a tank. Receeding gum is sign of gingevitis.

I asked my dentist about those things and they asked if I would get my car clean with just a hose spraying water without a brush. Basically you need to floss rather than depend on those.

I did the scaling and root planing as a result of gum disease too. I never flossed and now I do, for good reason. Pain in the ass, but It has helped with everything.

 

[sdifox]

I asked my dentist about those things and they asked if I would get my car clean with just a hose spraying water without a brush. Basically you need to floss rather than depend on those.

I did the scaling and root planing as a result of gum disease too. I never flossed and now I do, for good reason. Pain in the ass, but It has helped with everything.

I waterpik, floss, mouthwash and brush...