Sensitive Teeth (Dentin Hypersensitivity)

Sensitive teeth, or dentin hypersensitivity, is a short, sharp pain in one or more teeth triggered by cold, heat, sweet or acidic food, cold air or touch. It happens when the protective enamel wears away or the gums recede, exposing the dentin underneath. Dentin contains thousands of tiny fluid-filled tubules that lead towards the nerve, so stimuli on the surface are felt as pain.

Why It Matters

Sensitivity is very common and often manageable at home, but it is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The same type of pain can come from tooth decay, a cracked tooth, a leaking filling or inflamed pulp. Finding the cause matters: true dentin hypersensitivity is treated by protecting the exposed surface, whereas decay or a crack needs repair.

Clinical Details

• Gum recession: Receding gums expose the root surface, which has no enamel covering.
• Enamel wear: Acid erosion from fizzy drinks, citrus, sports drinks or stomach acid; brushing hard or straight after acidic food; and grinding or clenching (bruxism).
• After dental treatment: Temporary sensitivity is common after teeth whitening, deep cleaning or a new filling, and usually settles.
• Typical pattern: Sharp pain that stops within seconds of removing the trigger. Pain that lingers, throbs, wakes you at night or is confined to one tooth suggests another cause.
• Home treatment: A desensitising toothpaste containing potassium nitrate, potassium citrate or stannous fluoride, used twice daily with a soft brush. Spit without rinsing so the active ingredient stays on the teeth.
• In-surgery treatment: High-fluoride varnish or desensitising agents painted onto the exposed areas; a bonded filling over worn areas near the gum line; prescription high-fluoride toothpaste; or treating gum disease. A night guard may be advised if grinding is the cause.

FAQ

Why are my teeth suddenly sensitive?

Sudden sensitivity can follow whitening, a new filling or a change in brushing habits, but it can also mean a new cavity, a cracked tooth or a lost filling. If it is new, limited to one tooth or lasts more than a few weeks, see a dentist.

How can I stop sensitive teeth pain quickly?

Avoid the trigger, use lukewarm rather than cold drinks, and rub a small amount of desensitising toothpaste onto the sensitive area and leave it on. These measures reduce discomfort but do not treat an underlying cause such as decay.

How long does sensitive toothpaste take to work?

Many people notice improvement within a few weeks of daily use. The effect lasts only while you keep using it, because the toothpaste works by blocking or calming the exposed tubules.

Can sensitive teeth be cured permanently?

If the cause is removed, for example by covering an exposed root, stopping acid erosion or treating grinding, sensitivity can resolve. Where gums have receded, ongoing care is usually needed to keep it under control.

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