This post, 5 tips to eliminate sensitivity in teeth,  is sponsored by Colgate® as part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network.

I have the most sensitive teeth of anyone that I know, other than my husband!  The two of us can not tolerate much more than a dish of ice cream (not to worry, I’ll make that sacrifice!)

What was that?  You wanted to see that delicious ice cream sundae BEFORE we ate it?  Here you go… 

Honestly though, my teeth are really sensitive to most foods, so I want to share my 5 Tips to Eliminate Sensitivity in Teeth – they are working for us!

My husband’s teeth are sensitive to cold air and cold foods.  Mine are sensitive to cold drinks and cold foods.   I never really noticed it much when I was younger, but the older that I am getting, the more that I notice it.  Sometimes they actually hurt when I eat cold foods- sort of like a teething toddler, I guess!  (Here is our little one, biting on her finger to eliminate her own teething troubles)

When I mentioned my sensitivity to my dentist, his reasoning made perfect sense:  The enamel on my teeth is wearing down. 

He said people had healthier teeth years ago, when we used to eat three meals a day, meaning that our saliva had a chance to come back and clean our teeth.  When we are constantly snacking, the saliva never builds back up and then it doesn’t have a chance to clean our teeth.  He said that it weakens our enamel, which in turn leaves our teeth more sensitive and with more stains (and cavities!)

Here are Five tips that I have found to help:

1- Buy the right toothpaste!

I know, this one is a no-brainer, but I know that buying the right toothpaste really makes a difference!  I recommend trying the NEW Colgate® Enamel Health – it is a new line of products made help strengthen your enamel.  It helps in two ways:
1- Helps replenish natural calcium and other minerals back into weakened enamel, filling rough spots and making it stronger.
2- Gently polishes the enamel surface with gentle micro-polishing action, so germs are less likely to stick to teeth.
You can find out more here. 

2- Eat LESS often!

I know that we hear how we should be eating smaller meals more often. I have heard it time and time again, but to be honest, my teeth can’t take all of that eating! Our bodies are not meant to be fed every hour or two. Give your mouth a little break and eat just four-five times a day. (Trust me, this is harder for me than you think. As a stay-at-home-mom, I am surrounded by food ALL DAY LONG. A handful of goldfish at 4:00, a gummy bear at 4:10, a bite of Allie’s apple at 4:15, a sip of my lemon water at 4:20…)

3- Chew sugar free gum. 

In order to stop eating so often (As you saw above, I am the queen of snacking all day long, instead of having real meals!), I have started chewing sugar-free gum in between meals.  It stimulates saliva flow, which helps reduce the risk of cavities by reducing plaque acids, removing debris and strengthening teeth.

4- Brush twice a day!

Again, a no-brainer, right? Some of my friends told me that they only brushed once a day, in the morning. I always brush two, three or four times a day, so once a day seems foreign to me, but different strokes for different folks, as my grandma would say… Try to bump it up to twice a day and use the NEW Colgate® Enamel Health.  This toothpaste will help eliminate stains…

5- Don’t brush so hard!

My Dad’s dentist told him that brushing hard is one of the worst things that you can do to your teeth! Buy a softer-bristled toothbrush, like Colgate® 360°® Enamel HealthTM Manual Toothbrush and let the toothbrush do the work, not your muscles! Buying a cheap, hard toothbrush that isn’t reaching the right areas is not going to help your teeth to fight off stains or get your toothpaste where it needs to be to strengthen your enamel. Try this one:

What are your best tips?  I’d love you to share them in the comments!