Changes in Your Diet to Stop Sensitive Teeth
Dietary Changes to Relieve Dentin Hypersensitivity
- Limit Erosive Foods & Drinks. Acidic foods and drinks activate sensitivity by stripping the protective proteins covering your dentin exposing the pores on the surface. If you are serious about helping your tooth sensitivity, one of the best things you can do is reduce the frequency you consume sodas, citrus juices and fruits, and vinegars.
- Eat Some Oxalate-Rich Foods. Foods like spinach, rhubarb, bananas are all rich in oxalic acids. That fuzzy feeling you get on your teeth when you eat these foods are actually oxalate crystals precipitating on your teeth. This is the same principle behind many topical treatments for sensitivity you receive from your dentist and these types of foods can help plug up the dentinal tubules where the pain starts. If you are especially prone to kidney stones, don’t overdo it with these foods (talk to your physician about how much is appropriate for you).
- Incorporate Dairy Products into your diet. Animal milks, cheeses, and yogurts contain caseins which help provide a protective protein layer over your dentin. This casein protein layer provides a buffer against acids and also acts as a mild physical barrier to keep minerals from leaving the tooth and help keep the pores of your dentin small and less sensitive.
