Chuck out your toothbrush and pick up one with soft bristles. Brush twice a day with desensitizing toothpaste and take care to gently clean along the gumline. Floss and rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash. Avoid acidic and sweet foods and drinks like coffee, soda, wine, and fruit juice especially before bed. If you catch yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, try practicing mindfulness or other relaxation techniques to give your jaw a break. To stop sensitive teeth pain for good, you will have to see the dentist so we can determine the underlying cause once and for all.

In some cases, improving your dental hygiene game at home can stop tooth sensitivity. When kept clean enough to prevent more erosion and decay, your enamel can actually heal. This process is helped tremendously with fluoride treatment. Fair warning though, dental pain is a natural indicator that something is wrong and it needs to be investigated. If your enamel has become so damaged or decayed that the dentin has become exposed you may be at risk of an infection or abscess.

Indirectly, stress can lead to tooth sensitivity. People who feel extra stressed out often neglect their routine oral care, indulge in sweet or acidic treats, or smoke more. Stress can also cause you to grind or clench your teeth. Sometimes people grind and clench while they’re asleep without even realizing it!

Acids wear down the enamel. Sweet and starchy foods feed the bacteria in your mouth which produces an acidic byproduct that wears down enamel. Hard foods can also wear away your enamel or risk damaging a tooth.

• Acidic foods: Coffee, wine and other alcohols, fruit juice and fruits (especially citrus!), soda pop, tomatoes, pickles and vinegar.
• Sweet foods: chocolate, jams and jellies, caramel, sugar, hard candies, ice cream and an extra special second mention for juice and soda!
• Simple starches: donuts, cake, bread, potato chips, crackers and cookies.
• Hard foods: chewing on ice, chewing hard candies, chewing foods that may contain a pit or hard kernel such as popcorn, cherries and olives.

This doesn’t mean you need to avoid all these foods. Simply practice moderation and routinely clean your teeth, especially before bed.

Remember, you want low-acid, low-sugar drinks, snacks and meals. High fibre foods are excellent for your teeth and so is dairy because it promotes saliva production. Try to eat a nutritious, varied diet with plenty of protein and calcium. Here are some of the foods you can enjoy:

• Drinks: Water, green tea, black tea.
• Snacks: Raisins and nuts, celery and carrot sticks, apple slices. Cheese.
• Supper: Stir-fries, salads, wraps, meat and potatoes with a side of veggies.
• Dessert: Yogurt, ricotta and berries, apple sauce.