Have you felt pain or a different sensation in your teeth after having a scoop of ice cream? Well, then you surely have sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity, or dentin hypersensitivity is the pain and discomfort in the teeth mainly due to cold, hot, sticky or sugary foods. This can be an acute or chronic problem, as it varies from person to person. Having sensitive teeth is a common dental problem and millions of people suffer from it everyday. It is important to maintain good dental health to prevent cavity and other oral problems. Very hot and cold foods might sometimes cause pain and a tingling sensation on your teeth, due to the problem of dental sensitivity. You can have healthy foods to prevent such and issue and to find relief as well.
On the other hand, there are some food items that should be avoided as much as possible. The bacteria in your mouth (from the sugary foods) gets converted into acid, and that acid further causes damage and decay. Dental sensitivity might also be a symptom of a more serious health condition, such as a cavity or abscess tooth that requires treatment. You should have full knowledge about the best and worst foods for sensitive teeth as a precautionary measure. Read this article further to know about some foods to eat and avoid for dental sensitivity.
Foods to eat for dental sensitivity
There are some healthy foods that are believed to be beneficial for dental care and the associated problems. This is not a list of specific foods that you have to eat for dental sensitivity but a few healthy foods that are beneficial for dental health. So, here are 5 foods to eat for dental sensitivity:
1. Vegetables
The main aim is to avoid foods that harm our enamel and vegetables help in fulfilling that purpose. You can have veggies that have high fiber content as they help in producing more and more saliva in the mouth. By producing a good amount of saliva, it becomes easier to wash away harmful substances from the teeth. You can have carrots, beetroots, broccoli, potatoes, etc for good dental health and to prevent dental sensitivity.
2. Whole grains
Whole grains including barley, brown rice, millet, oatmeal, etc, are also high in fiber and play a major role in producing saliva in the mouth, further helping in removal of chemicals from the teeth. Do not eat whole grains in abundance and take small portions only. Even your overall health will improve by including these food items in your diet schedule.
Also read: 7 Tips To Tackle Sharp Sensation Due to Tooth Sensitivity
3. Nuts
Having a handful of nuts and seeds in the morning can never go wrong for you. Instead of unhealthy snacking, you can have nuts like cashews, almonds, walnuts, etc. These nuts contain vitamins and minerals that are good for sensitive teeth as they are high in calcium and protein and have low sugar content. You should always keep oral health in mind while making a diet plan for yourself.
4. Dairy products
Another good way to maintain dental health is by consuming good amount of various dairy products. Yogurt and cheese are considered as two of the most relieving and helping foods for dental sensitivity as they are high in calcium and protein, which help in making your teeth stronger. But, make sure to not add any extra sugars into it. You can cut up some fruits and have a bowl of fruit yogurt.
5. Fruits
Similar to high fiber vegetables, you should also consume fruits such as apples and bananas to take care of your teeth, especially teeth sensitive people. These fruits can easily be included in your diet by making a fruit salad or a delicious smoothie. Smoothies will even be a beneficial combination of milk (dairy product) and a fruit.
Foods to avoid for dental sensitivity
There are some healthy foods that you can have, while there are also a few that should be avoided as much as possible. If you have sensitive teeth, there are a number of food items that can trigger it even more, such as ice cream. An individual has to take care about the quantity consumed while eating or drinking anything for dental care. So, here are 5 foods that you should avoid for dental sensitivity:
1. Ice cream
Both sugary and cold foods are major triggers for dental sensitivity, and an ice cream is rich in both these qualities. You might enjoy having a stick of an ice cream bar in all the seasons, but it can affect your teeth in a way you can't imagine. People who have sensitive teeth lack the enamel that plays the role of a protective layer for you. Therefore, without that layer of enamel to insulate your nerves, the temperature of an ice cream can be quite harmful.
Also read: Sensitive Gap Between Tooth And Gum Can Cause These 3 Problems
2. Hard and sticky candy
Another food item that you should avoid for sensitive teeth is hard and sticky candy. Candies are loaded with sugar and can be a factor behind severe tooth pain. In fact, it can even cause teeth to chip or break. These sweet foods such as toffee, gummy bears, etc should be consumed in moderation and that too rarely by people who have sensitive teeth. Along with being full of sugar, they can even stick to your teeth. Having excess sugary and sticky foods can stimulate your nerves, not as severe as tooth enamel but causes tiny microscopic holes, resulting in nerve exposure.
3. Citrus fruits
It is not just hot and cold foods, even citrus fruits should be avoided in the case of dental sensitivity. Fruits such as oranges, grapes, lemons, pineapple, etc are highly acidic citrus fruits. This acid can make your teeth even more sensitive and should be consumed less by sensitive teeth patients. Eating as well as drinking these fruits' juices can cause tooth pain and sensitivity. Even tomatoes are also highly acidic and should be avoided in the case of tooth sensitivity.
4. Ice
Having ice directly is also not suggested to maintain good dental health. Your teeth get extremely negatively affected by having ice. Many people have a harmful habit of chewing ice cubes. However, it can be a huge problem for sensitive teeth as it is both hard and cold. Instead, you should try having some healthy foods whenever hungry.
Also read: Debunking Dental Health Myths: 7 Things That We Believe But Aren’t True
5. Soda
If you have sensitive teeth, then you should surely avoid having soda. All kinds of sodas and diet sodas contain common ingredients, phosphoric and citric acid. These are responsible for balancing the pH levels in the mouth and can also causes tooth erosion, if taken persistently. Moreover, it is considered to be more harmful than cavities because the main damage caused is tooth sensitivity. Even if there comes a situation where you must drink soda, then try taking it with a straw to avoid contact with the teeth.
So, these were the foods that you should eat and avoid for dental sensitivity. You can even talk to your dentist before having any food item for sensitive teeth as it can cause more damage. The above mentioned list of foods to eat also includes the benefits of preventing as well as treating dental sensitivity. And, if you experience any dental sensitivity symptoms for a longing period then you should get it checked by your dentist.
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