In a sense, I’m struggling with self-care for reasons beyond the control of motivation.
If this is you, or if you know something that I don’t, do you have any:
Currently, I’m brushing with a stannous fluoride toothpaste, brand name Colgate Total SF (Clean Mint) twice a day for two minutes, sometimes three times as needed. This toothpaste offers nothing unique since I’ve used stannous fluoride for several months already, but the taste and consistency is my favorite so far.
Since my quest for sensitivity control began, I’ve learned to spit/“expectorate” without rinsing my mouth as this leaves residual active ingredients behind for a longer time (about 30 minutes I surmise). When that alone isn’t enough, I also “spot treat” the affected teeth with my toothpaste to help alleviate the pain faster. (It hurts like a bitch, but it hurts less with consistency.) I do use soft bristles, albeit on an electric toothbrush; whether or not that’s too aggressive is unclear.
I suspect that my gum recession, which is the underlying problem, was caused by improper brushing, if not genetics, at least in the past. Nowadays, I just let my Oral B brush head glide across my teeth.
So that’s the extent of my treatment in addition to avoiding obvious triggers. If you have anything to contribute at all, I would appreciate your thoughts.
If this is you, or if you know something that I don’t, do you have any:
- tips on how to minimize the pain as a supplement to antisensitivity toothpastes?
- OTC recommendations that work well for you (or in general) where others have failed?
- insights about what a dentist/hygienist has done or can do for you when OTC treatments aren’t effective?
Currently, I’m brushing with a stannous fluoride toothpaste, brand name Colgate Total SF (Clean Mint) twice a day for two minutes, sometimes three times as needed. This toothpaste offers nothing unique since I’ve used stannous fluoride for several months already, but the taste and consistency is my favorite so far.
Since my quest for sensitivity control began, I’ve learned to spit/“expectorate” without rinsing my mouth as this leaves residual active ingredients behind for a longer time (about 30 minutes I surmise). When that alone isn’t enough, I also “spot treat” the affected teeth with my toothpaste to help alleviate the pain faster. (It hurts like a bitch, but it hurts less with consistency.) I do use soft bristles, albeit on an electric toothbrush; whether or not that’s too aggressive is unclear.
I suspect that my gum recession, which is the underlying problem, was caused by improper brushing, if not genetics, at least in the past. Nowadays, I just let my Oral B brush head glide across my teeth.
So that’s the extent of my treatment in addition to avoiding obvious triggers. If you have anything to contribute at all, I would appreciate your thoughts.