Sensitive Teeth: Seven Possible Causes and What You Can Do
Sensitive Teeth
Does a sip of cold water, a hot cup of tea or a spoonful of ice cream make you wince? Sensitive teeth are common, but that sudden, sharp discomfort should not simply be ignored.
Sensitivity often develops when the protective enamel becomes worn or when part of a tooth’s root is exposed. This can allow heat, cold, sweetness or pressure to reach the more sensitive layer beneath the enamel.
There is no single treatment that works for every case because tooth sensitivity can have several causes. Identifying the reason behind it is the first step towards finding lasting relief.
1. Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard
Brushing enthusiastically might feel like the best way to keep your teeth clean,
but excessive pressure can gradually wear the enamel and irritate the gums.
A hard-bristled toothbrush can make this problem worse.
As the gums recede, parts of the tooth roots may become exposed. Unlike the crowns
of your teeth, the roots are not protected by a thick covering of enamel, making
them more vulnerable to sensitivity.
What can you do?
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean your teeth with gentle, controlled movements.
An electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor may help if you tend to press too firmly.
When using a manual toothbrush, the Modified Bass brushing technique can help you clean effectively around the gumline without aggressive scrubbing.
If you prefer an electric toothbrush, choose a soft or sensitive brush head and allow
the brush to do the work rather than pressing or scrubbing. Follow this guide to brushing correctly with an electric toothbrush.
Your dentist or dental hygienist can also check your brushing technique and recommend
changes to protect your teeth and gums.
2. Enamel Erosion
Acidic foods and drinks can gradually soften and wear away tooth enamel. Fizzy drinks, energy drinks, citrus fruits, fruit juices and wine are common sources of dietary acid.
Stomach acid can also contribute to erosion in people who experience frequent acid reflux or vomiting.
Once enamel has been lost, it cannot grow back naturally. However, its remaining surface can be protected and strengthened.
What can you do?
Try to limit how often you consume acidic food and drink. Drinking water afterwards can help neutralise the mouth, but avoid brushing immediately because softened enamel may be more easily damaged. Wait for around an hour before brushing.
Depending on the amount of wear, your dentist may recommend fluoride products, composite bonding or another restorative treatment.
3. Gum Recession or Gum Disease
Healthy gums protect the roots of your teeth. If the gums begin to recede, the exposed root surfaces can react painfully to hot, cold or sweet foods.
Recession can result from brushing too forcefully, gum disease, the natural ageing process or the position of an individual tooth. Other signs of gum disease may include bleeding, redness, swelling, persistent bad breath or loose teeth.
What can you do?
Arrange a dental assessment if you notice receding or bleeding gums. Treatment will depend on the cause and may include professional cleaning, improved home care or treatment for gum disease.
Early attention is important because gum disease can progress without causing severe pain.
4. Tooth Decay
A cavity can cause sensitivity when decay passes through the tooth’s protective enamel and approaches the softer dentine or nerve inside.
You might initially notice discomfort when consuming something cold or sweet. As the decay progresses, the sensitivity may become more frequent, last longer or develop into toothache.
What can you do?
A dentist will need to examine the tooth and may take an X-ray. If decay is present, removing it and placing a filling may prevent the problem from becoming more serious.
Sensitivity caused by decay will not usually be resolved by sensitive toothpaste alone.
5. A Cracked Tooth or Worn Filling
A small crack is not always visible, but it can cause a sharp pain when you bite, release your bite or consume something hot or cold. Similarly, an old, loose or damaged filling may allow irritants to reach the sensitive layers of the tooth.
Cracks can result from biting something hard, an injury, a large existing filling or repeated teeth grinding.
What can you do?
Avoid chewing hard foods on the affected side and book a dental examination. Treatment could involve replacing a filling, repairing the tooth with composite material or protecting it with a crown. More extensive cracks may require additional treatment.
6. Grinding or Clenching Your Teeth
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can gradually wear down enamel and place significant pressure on the teeth. Many people grind their teeth while asleep and may not realise they are doing it.
Other possible signs include jaw stiffness, facial pain, morning headaches, chipped teeth and flattened biting surfaces.
What can you do?
Your dentist can examine your teeth for signs of grinding. A custom-made night guard may be recommended to help protect them while you sleep. Managing stress and reducing habits that aggravate clenching may also be helpful.
7. Recent Dental Treatment or Teeth Whitening
Some people experience temporary sensitivity after a filling, professional cleaning or teeth-whitening treatment. This will often settle as the tooth recovers.
Whitening products work by passing through the enamel to break down stains, which may temporarily make the teeth more responsive to cold or sweet foods.
What can you do?
Follow the instructions provided by your dental team. They may recommend adjusting your whitening routine or temporarily using a desensitising product.
If the discomfort is severe, continues longer than expected or becomes worse, contact your dentist so that another cause can be ruled out.
How Can You Reduce Tooth Sensitivity at Home?
The right treatment depends on the cause, but several everyday measures may help:
- Use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush.
- Spit after brushing rather than immediately rinsing with water.
- Avoid brushing for around an hour after acidic foods or drinks.
- Reduce frequent consumption of fizzy drinks, fruit juice and other acidic products.
- Do not use unregulated whitening products or whitening treatments more often than directed.
- Attend regular dental examinations so emerging problems can be identified early.
Desensitising toothpaste may take repeated use before you notice its full effect. It can reduce symptoms, but it cannot repair decay, a broken filling or a cracked tooth.
When Should You See a Dentist?
Arrange an appointment if your sensitivity:
- affects one particular tooth;
- is becoming more frequent or severe;
- continues after the trigger has gone;
- hurts when you bite;
- is accompanied by bleeding or swollen gums;
- develops into persistent toothache; or
- does not improve after using sensitive toothpaste.
Seek urgent dental advice if you also have facial swelling, a fever, a bad taste in your mouth or severe pain, as these symptoms could indicate an infection.
Sensitive Teeth Treatment in Guildford
You do not have to plan every meal around sensitive teeth. At Surrey Dental Practice, we can examine your teeth and gums, identify the likely cause of your discomfort and explain the treatments suitable for you.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include professional fluoride products, advice on your brushing technique, treatment for gum disease, a filling, composite bonding, a replacement restoration or a custom-made night guard.
If sensitive teeth are affecting what you eat or drink, contact Surrey Dental Practice in Guildford to arrange an assessment.