Sensitive teeth

Sensitive teeth are teeth that hurt when you eat or drink certain things. It usually happens when the protective outer layer of your tooth is worn down, exposing the sensitive part underneath. Sensitive teeth often get better with some simple changes. But sometimes they need treatment from a dentist.

About sensitive teeth

You might sometimes hear sensitive teeth referred to more formally as dentin hypersensitivity. It can happen when the hard outer shell of your tooth, called the enamel, is damaged. This reveals the layer of your tooth below, known as dentine. Dentine contains lots of tiny tubes that run all the way through to the nerve inside your tooth. When these tubes are exposed, things like hot and cold drinks can reach the nerve root inside your tooth and cause pain.

What causes sensitive teeth?

There are lots of things that can wear down the enamel on your tooth and expose the dentine and roots underneath, like:

• A crack or hole in your tooth. Tooth decay, cavities, and cracked or chipped teeth can expose the inner layers of your tooth, leading to sensitivity and pain.
• Brushing your teeth too hard. If you use a hard toothbrush, brush your teeth for too long or with too much force, it can wear down the protective enamel that coats your tooth.
• Receding gums. This is when your gums pull away from your teeth. It might happen naturally, or as a result of gum disease or rough brushing. Recessive gums can reveal the root below, causing sensitive teeth.
• Gum disease. Gum disease can damage the bones that support your teeth and cause inflammation, which makes your teeth and nerves more sensitive.
• Acidic food and drinks. Regularly eating things like fizzy drinks, citrus fruits, fruit juice, alcohol, pickles or sour sweets can erode your tooth enamel, uncover your dentine and cause sensitivity.
• Grinding your teeth. If you grind your teeth together at night or when you’re stressed, it can wear down the enamel on your teeth and make them sensitive.
• Dental procedures. You might have a sensitive tooth after a filling, whitening treatment or a visit to your hygienist. But this should only be temporary.

Symptoms of sensitive teeth

If you have sensitive teeth, you might feel anything from mild discomfort to a sharp, shooting pain. You could have pain in just one tooth, a few, or all of them. The sensitivity may come and go and be better or worse at times.

You might also find that the pain is triggered when you:

• eat or drink something hot, cold, sweet or acidic
• breathe in cold air
• brush or floss your teeth
• chew

How to help sensitive teeth

Sensitive teeth can often get better with some simple changes to your eating habits and teeth cleaning routine at home.

• Use a toothpaste and mouthwash that’s made specifically for sensitive teeth. These help to block the pain spreading to your nerve. They may take a few weeks to work, but there are lots available without a prescription.
• Rub a small amount of desensitising toothpaste over the painful area before bed.
• If your teeth are sensitive to cold, brush them with warm water.
• Switch to a soft toothbrush and brush your teeth gently using circular motions.
• Avoid any food and drinks that make your symptoms worse.

How to treat sensitive teeth

If your sensitive teeth don’t get better after a few weeks of treating them at home, make an appointment to see a dentist. They can check if there are any issues with your teeth or gums that might be behind the problem, and recommend the best treatment for you. This could include:

Fluoride products

Your dentist might recommend they apply a fluoride gel, rinse or varnish to your sensitive teeth. Fluoride helps to strengthen the protective outer layer of your teeth (enamel). Your dentist will do this over a number of appointments a few weeks apart. Sometimes, they might prescribe fluoride products for you to use at home too.

Dental bonding

If the root of your tooth is exposed, your dentist might suggest covering the area where your tooth and gum meet with a bonding agent. This helps to form a protective layer over the root and reduce sensitivity.

A gum graft

If your teeth sensitivity is caused by recessive gums, you might benefit from having a gum graft. This is when your dentist takes a small amount of tissue from one area of your mouth and transplants it into another. It can help to cover any exposed roots and ease sensitive teeth.