According to a report from AsiaOne, an online news portal, approximately 64 per cent of Singaporeans are suffering from dentin hypersensitivity, commonly known as sensitive teeth. People with this condition may cringe in pain when they consume certain foods.
If you have sensitive teeth, you may want to visit your trusted dental clinic. A dental professional will check for oral problems that contribute to tooth sensitivity, such as receded gums, worn enamel and cracked teeth.
Apart from consulting with an oral professional, stay away from food and drinks that can cause oral pain. The food and beverages that you should avoid are the following:
Ice Cream
Individuals with sensitive teeth may have a difficult time consuming extremely cold food, and ice cream is one of them. The cold temperature of the ice cream causes discomfort to people with tooth sensitivity. These individuals lack the enamel layer that insulates the nerves and shields the teeth from the temperature of the food.
Apart from that, ice cream is a dessert with high sugar content. Sugar draws harmful bacteria that attack the enamel of the teeth and cause severe oral problems, such as tooth decay.
Citrus Fruits
Lemons, oranges, limes and grapefruits are citrus fruits packed with Vitamin C. Although they are good for your body, they’re not necessarily good for your teeth. The acid in these fruits erode your tooth enamel and increase your tooth sensitivity. If you need your daily dose of Vitamin C, consider taking vitamin supplements. Alternatively, look at non-citric sources of Vitamin C.
Ice
Although ice has zero sugar, you should resist the habit of chewing this food. Ice is both cold and hard, which can be problematic for individuals with sensitive teeth. Chewing hard substances can wreak havoc on your enamel. What’s worse, it could break or chip teeth.
Instead of chewing ice, stick to room-temperature water. Your teeth will thank you later.
Candies
Many types of candy will cause pain for individuals with tooth sensitivity. Hard candy, such as peppermint, could damage your teeth. Gummy bears and similar types of chewy candy are rich in sugar. If not removed, these candies could become stuck near between teeth and gums, which could cause further discomfort.
If you’re a candy lover, eat candy sparingly. If you do consume candy, brush and rinse your mouth thoroughly and consistently to dislodge any food particles stuck inside your mouth.
Hot Coffee
Many start their day by drinking a hot cup of coffee. Hot beverages, unfortunately, could cause teeth pain. Adding sugar and other sweeteners could exacerbate the discomfort. If you insist on kickstarting your day with a cuppa, add some milk to decrease the temperature and acidity of the coffee.
Tomatoes
This fruit is a great ingredient on pasta and salads. Sadly, tomatoes are inherently acidic. You could trigger tooth sensitivity regardless if you’re eating raw tomatoes or tomato sauce. If you like eating pasta, opt for dishes that don’t use tomatoes as an ingredient.
These are the foods you should steer clear of when you have sensitive teeth. As much as possible, change your diet by choosing to eat and drink foods that won’t trigger dentin hypersensitivity.
