Must-Read: DIY Dentistry

Get some friends to help!

We’ve all been there. You eat a little bit of ice cream, or you crunch down on a piece of ice, or something just feels a bit off about your teeth. And then you have to schedule an appointment with your dentist (if you’re lucky and have insurance, that is) and then go through the whole rigamarole that comes with a dental visit. There’s a reason people don’t like seeing the dentist. It sucks. But there are certain do-it-yourself fixes that can work when you’re dealing with minor dental issues, which means you don’t even need to head over to your favorite D.D.S. A number of these DIY fixes are listed on this handy article over at Men’s Health.

The most important one we found:

Sensitive Teeth
Cause: Exposed nerve roots, often from receding gums

Treatment: Lay off the whitening, tartar-control, and baking-soda toothpastes?they’re abrasive and can contain phosphates, which make teeth sensitive. Don’t brush too hard, which can lead to other dental problems, such as recessed gums, says Sherri Worth, D.D.S., a celebrity cosmetic dentist. If pain persists, visit your dentist for a prescription fluoride treatment to toughen up your choppers.

The whole article is worth checking out and bookmarking to come back to when your teeth start to get all achey. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to chomp down on a whole bucket of ice because now we know how to keep it from hurting! Thanks, Men’s Health!