Relief for Sensitive Teeth: Best Home Remedies and OTC Treatment

If you experience a toothache when consuming hot or cold food and beverages then you may need relief for sensitive teeth. Even brushing your teeth can cause pain if you have sensitive teeth. 

Tooth sensitivity is common in many people both young and old, and it can be caused by a number of things. Usually, sensitive teeth are the result of worn or damaged enamel or an exposed tooth root. 

Whatever the reason, tooth sensitivity can be distressing, so finding a remedy is important. This article will discuss how to stop tooth sensitivity pain, and answer the following questions:

• What are sensitive teeth and what causes them? 
• How do you deal with sensitive teeth pain?
• Can you prevent tooth sensitivity?
• Are there any home remedies? 
• What are the best sensitive teeth treatments and products available?

The following table is a summary of some of the best remedies for teeth sensitivity that we will discuss in this article:

Let’s get started so you can get rid of that tooth sensitivity and eat and drink without fear of pain. 

What are sensitive teeth and what causes them?

With teeth sensitivity, the pain can come and go at different times or it might be there almost constantly. You may get sensitivity in just one tooth or multiple and it can be anywhere from mild discomfort to intense pain. 

You can have tooth sensitivity for a number of reasons, including: 

• Worn down enamel 
• Cracked or chipped teeth 
• Cavities
• Exposed tooth root
• Gum disease 
• Gum erosion
• After getting a dental filling
• Worn down or ill-fitting fillings 
• Teeth sensitivity in pregnancy
• Sensitivity after dental cleaning

This study shows the correlation between gum recession and teeth sensitivity as well as teeth whitening treatments. Some at-home teeth whitening treatments can cause sensitivity because of damage to gums and tooth enamel. 

You can read more about when you have sensitive teeth after whitening.

The following video from the American Dental Association provides a good explanation of teeth sensitivity and the possible causes. 

Treatment for sensitive teeth

Some of the reasons for sensitive teeth are temporary or require a simple fix from your dentist, and others may be chronic or come and go for no apparent reason. 

If you have no underlying issues that need to be addressed by a dentist then you can try teeth sensitivity remedies at home. But you should always consult with your dentist first to make sure you don’t need any in-office treatment. 

Finding out what is causing your sensitive teeth can also help you decide which product may be best to help stop the pain. Your dentist may be able to pinpoint what is causing your teeth sensitivity so that you can start with preventing it. 

The best sensitive teeth remedies

There are a few ways that you can treat teeth sensitivity, depending on the cause and severity. These can generally be categorized into home remedies, dental products, and professional tooth sensitivity treatments.

You don’t have to live with teeth sensitivity, so let’s jump in and see what dental products for sensitive teeth are available. 

Dental products for teeth sensitivity

If you would prefer to buy something to treat your teeth sensitivity rather than make your own at home, you can try some of the following. There are a few different products available on the market, including sensitive toothpaste, mouthwash for sensitive teeth, and serums. 

The biggest factor to look at when deciding what sensitive teeth remedy to buy is the ingredients. Some of the proven ingredients that you may find in these dental products include: 

• Fluoride 
• Hydroxyapatite
• Theobromine
• Xylitol
• Potassium nitrate
• Potassium citrate

Many sensitive teeth remedies include fluoride as an ingredient, and this study shows that it is effective in reducing sensitivity when used alongside other ingredients like potassium, oxalates, and metal ions. 

Here are some of our top picks for the best ways to reduce teeth sensitivity: 

cariPRO Enamel Armour

cariPRO Enamel Armour operates from the fact that just as you can destroy your tooth's enamel with unhealthy oral hygiene routines and a poor diet, you can also heal your teeth and enamel — but don't wait too long because at some point this damage is irreversible.

Weakened tooth enamel come from decay, aggressive brushing, whitening treatments and an unbalanced microbiome. All of these things are often accompanied by dehydrated teeth, which are more susceptible to enamel damage.

cariPRO Enamel Armour addresses all of these factors by:

• Sealing pores and repairing enamel
• Increasing tooth hydration
• Stimulating the production of healthy saliva
• Increasing your teeth's resistance to decay

It's easy to use so you've got nothing to lose — just apply it at night after you finish brushing and flossing, and go to sleep without rinsing it off.

BioMin Toothpaste

Dr. Collins BioMin toothpaste contains calcium, phosphorus silica and sodium — all elements that are naturally found in the body. When you brush your teeth with BioMin toothpaste, water and saliva work together to break down the toothpaste's bioactive glass. This releases the calcium and phosphate ions so that hydroxyapatite can work on the tooth's surface.

The resulting ions create a seal over the tubules in your dentin that run from the pulp to the tooth enamel, replacing lost minerals to strengthen enamel and protecting teeth from future sensitivity.

If you want to read more about BioMin Toothpaste for sensitive teeth you can read our full review here.

REGENERATE™ Advanced Toothpaste

This remineralizing toothpaste is one of the most advanced on the market. REGENERATE’s NR-5 formula has been clinically proven to reverse early enamel erosion and remineralize teeth. 

This fluoride-based toothpaste helps to stop teeth sensitivity in its tracks by strengthening your teeth enamel.

If you are looking to buy this remineralizing toothpaste, you can find it on Amazon. It is more highly-priced than other sensitivity toothpaste, but then again, it has been known to show results after just one use.  

Sensodyne Pronamel Enamel Repair toothpaste

Sensodyne is a popular brand for toothpastes that combat tooth sensitivity. The main ingredients are potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride.

This enamel repair toothpaste in particular works to repair enamel that has been weakened by acid. It's meant to be used twice per day, as your regular toothpaste.

The results are better protected teeth, stronger enamel and less sensitivity.

Of course it also cleans teeth and freshens breath just like a normal toothpaste.

Home remedies for sensitive teeth

If you want to use natural remedies for sensitive teeth rather than store-bought products, you can try some of the following at home. They may not be as effective as some of the specially formulated dental products that you can get, but they may work for you. Some natural remedies to try include the following: 

• Saltwater rinse: Reduces inflammation because of the natural antiseptic properties of salt
• Coconut oil pulling: Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties; put a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil in your mouth and swish for 20 minutes 
• Honey and warm water rinses: Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help with teeth sensitivity
• Vitamins: Vitamin B and vitamin E reduce inflammation and promote healthy teeth and gums  
• Yoghurt: Eating yogurt daily can help to remineralize teeth 
• Clove oil gel: A proven pain relief solution for toothache

Professional treatments for sensitive teeth

Teeth sensitivity should not last long, and only appear when triggered by an external cause like hot or cold drinks. (Read more about sensitivity to cold here, or teeth sensitive to heat here).

If your teeth sensitivity is intense, lasts for a long period of time or isn’t triggered by anything in particular, you should consult your dentist. You could be suffering from a more serious problem that needs professional sensitive teeth treatment. 

Some examples of professional tooth sensitivity treatment include: 

• Fluoride application
• Prescription toothpaste 
• Bonding 
• Filling 
• Surgical gum graft
• Root canal surgery 

If you think your tooth sensitivity could be something more serious, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist. But, in the meantime until your appointment, you can use over-the-counter sensitive teeth pain relief. 

Check out our guide to a toothache for more information on treating toothaches at home.

How do you prevent teeth sensitivity?

The best thing for sensitive teeth is to prevent them altogether. You can’t stop accidents like a cracked tooth from happening, but you can do a few things to avoid sensitivity. Some of these preventative measures include: 

• Maintaining good oral hygiene 
• Using a toothbrush with softer bristles to avoid enamel wear and gum recession 
• Limiting acidic foods and drinks
• Using a mouthguard if you grind your teeth at night 
• Taking care when using whitening products

If you already have teeth sensitivity then these preventative measures can also help to minimize sensitivity, especially when used with a sensitive teeth home remedy.

Conclusion 

Teeth sensitivity can really take a toll on you, especially when it means you can't eat or drink some of your favorite things. It may mean that even daily activities like brushing your teeth or breathing in cold air have become painful. If that’s the case, then you definitely need to find a teeth sensitivity remedy that works for you. 

There are a number of different remedies out there that you can try. Some are natural and you can easily make them at home, and some you can buy online or from a shop. 

The cariPRO Enamel Armour is a really effective, clinically-proven product for remineralizing your tooth enamel and reducing sensitivity. However, if you are just looking for effective toothpaste, you can try BioMin Toothpaste.

For those of you on a budget, some of the better-known brands like Sensodyne have products specifically for sensitive teeth. 

You don’t have to live with teeth sensitivity, you can do something about it today. If you think your tooth sensitivity is a little more severe, then book an appointment with the dentist to get to the root of the issue.