Pleasurable eating: Foods that relieve tooth sensitivity

Then, five years ago I tried out a teeth healing diet in a desperate (and successful) attempt to avoid yet another root canal.  The same strategies which cured that root pain have made my teeth so strong and resilient that temperature sensitivity is now a thing of the past, along with cavities.

Nutrition is the key to hard, glassy tooth enamel because our teeth are alive and a healthy body constantly replenishes the enamel.  Nutrients flow from the digestive system, through vital organs producing hormones and proteins, to be delivered via the bloodstream into the roots of our teeth where they finally pulse outwards from the dentin to the enamel.

With the right nutrients flowing from the inside of the tooth to the surface, enamel remineralizes continuously. In healthy teeth, the sensitive nerves in the dentin are protected by a strong enamel shell which actively repels decay-forming bacteria.

Sensitivity caused by weak enamel and receding gums can be relieved by eating whole foods rich in fat-soluble vitamins A and D, vitamin C and minerals.  These nutrients contribute to teeth and gum health best when eaten as whole foods rather than isolated in supplements.

Foods to relieve tooth sensitivity

The teeth healing diet includes lots of animal protein in the form of grass-fed meat; organ meat especially liver; bone broth, raw dairy, and eggs along with fresh nutrient-dense vegetables and fruit. Although grains, beans, nuts and seeds, sugar and processed foods are mostly harmful for teeth, it is possible to relieve sensitivity just by adding the necessary nutrients without depriving yourself of foods you consider essential.

I found that regularly eating an abundance of the delicious food needed for teeth health gradually displaced my attachment to sweets and other teeth harming foods. (I avoid ice cream now, not because it’s cold, but because I have lost my sweet tooth!)

I’ve summarised the teeth healing diet that I follow into a short, user-friendly guide which you can download for free.