Hi guys,

I got my braces off about 5 months ago. I've been wearing my retainer as instructed and everything is going well. The only problem is, after my braces were removed (after about 3.5 years) I've noticed that my teeth have become REALLY sensitive. What can I do to help this or alleviate this? Ive used Sensodyne, but not sure how well it works and I want to know if there are any other solutions? Is there anything I should avoid that would further damage the enamel on my teeth?

One thing is to immediately stop using any kind of toothpaste that contains fluoride in it. If Sensodyne has fluoride - stop using it.

Love you Twinks but I disagree with the above statement. Fluoride actually helps with sensitivity in some situations. As long as not taken in large doses and certainly not ingested, I see no harm.

It's common to experience some sensitivity because your teeth were somewhat "loose" while they were being shifted by the braces. Over time this should go away as they stabilize. In the meantime, keep using the Sensodyne to help with the sensitivity. It doesn't sound like your enamel is damaged but I'd stay away from something like bleaching because that increases sensitivity. If the sensitivity doesn't seem to diminish over time, certainly mention it to your dentist and he may recommend a rinse or treatment such as Prevident that will help with the sensitivity.

In the meantime, try something like Orajel to help alleviate some of the sensitivity.

You might also try a 'kids' tooth paste. They tend to be milder and have a lower amount of floride.

Fluoride is good for teeth. It makes teeth more resistant to decay and acids.

Children's toothpastes are fluoride-free because fluoride is harmful if swallowed [in large doses] and young children often don't know how to spit it out.

My daughters tooth paste has floride in it. I mean the 'bigger kids' tooth paste. Like aquafresh for kids which is what my daughter uses

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Originally Posted by jenniepepsi

my daughters tooth paste has floride in it. i mean the 'bigger kids' tooth paste. like aquafresh for kids which is what my daughter uses

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What is your point?

? Well after I suggested the children's toothpaste for a more mild formula, you said that children's toothpaste doesn't have floride in it... I was just saying that the aquafresh for kids toothpaste does.

My comment was addressing why children's toothpastes are formulated the way they are. Whether your daughter uses fluoride-free or low-fluoride, that has nothing to do with the question posted here.

If you read my comments, fluoride is actually used to help combat sensitivity.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jenniepepsi

my daughters tooth paste has floride in it. i mean the 'bigger kids' tooth paste. like aquafresh for kids which is what my daughter uses

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The "bigger kids" toothpaste is pretty much the same as regular toothpaste. If the OP has sensitive teeth, this won't help.

Sensodyne does clean your teeth, and helps with sensitivity.

Children's formulas are for children's teeth, not for adults that have their permanent teeth.

All right thanks for the answers everyone! I will continue to use Sensodyne and hopefully it will get better. Honestly in the past 5 months I have not felt the sensitivity going away. By the way does anyone know if mouthwash is bad like after brushing with sensodyne? Would it negate or wash away the sensodyne's effect after Ive brushed or is it just bad for my sensitivity problem?

Make sure you are using the RIGHT kind of Sensodyne. If the teeth are sensitive to temperature then use SensodyneF, if they are sensitive when you brush use original Sensodyne. Sensodyne F has potassium nitrate that calms the nerves that cause the discomfort and it has fluoride for cavity prevention. Original Sensodyne does not contain fluoride, it contains strontium chloride which blocks the exposed dentin tubules and prevents the nerve from being stimulatedby the toothbrush.

I would not suggest using a toothpaste with no fluoride, Minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate are redeposited (remineralization) to the enamel layer from the foods and waters consumed. Too much demineralization without enough remineralization to repair the enamel layer leads to tooth sensitivity and tooth decay.

A dentist/Oral hygienist in his/her office can apply a fluoride gel/foam/varnish to the teeth. These contain a much higher level of fluoride than the amount found in toothpastes and mouth rinses.