Sensitive Teeth: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

TL;DR

• Tooth sensitivity causes sharp, sudden pain from hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods.
• It commonly occurs due to enamel wear, gum recession, cavities, worn dental work, cracked or chipped teeth, or developmental enamel defects.
• Quick relief can be achieve with desensitizing toothpaste, warm salt water rinses, fluoride mouthwash or sugar-free gum, and over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Professional treatments may include fluoride varnish, resin bonding, gum grafting, laser therapy, or a root canal if necessary.
• Preventing tooth sensitivity involves maintaining good oral hygiene, wearing a night guard for teeth grinding, following a balanced diet, brushing gently, and attending regular dental checkups.

What is Tooth Sensitivity?

Do you ever feel a sudden jolt of pain when you sip hot soup or bite into ice cream? That sensation is call tooth sensitivity. It affects about 10-30% of people, and if left untreated, it can get worse over time, making it hard to enjoy your favorite foods without wincing. More importantly, sensitive teeth can also signal an underlying dental issue.

This is why it’s important to understand the causes of tooth sensitivity, the common symptoms and treatment options, and how you can prevent it.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

Teeth become sensitive when the protective enamel wears away or the layer beneath it, call dentin, is expose. Dentin has tiny channels that lead straight to the tooth’s nerves. When these channels are expose to hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods, they send pain signals to your brain, causing that sharp, sudden discomfort. 

Here are some common reasons for tooth sensitivity:

1. Enamel Wear: Brushing too hard, using abrasive toothpaste, or grinding your teeth (bruxism) can cause enamel erosion. A diet that is high in acidic foods as well as drinks can also have the same effect.
2. Gum Recession: Aggressive brushing or gum disease can cause gums to recede, exposing the tooth roots and increasing sensitivity.
3. Tooth Decay: Cavities near the gum line or between teeth can allow heat, cold, sweetness, or acidity to reach the dentin and pulp, causing discomfort.
4. Worn Fillings or Restorations: Dental work can deteriorate or wear down over time, which may expose the underlying dentin and lead to sensitivity.
5. Post-Dental Procedure Sensitivity: Certain treatments, such as whitening or restorative work, can cause short-term sensitivity that typically goes away within a few days.
6. Cracked or Chipped Teeth: Injuries or biting hard objects can create cracks or chips that expose dentin, leading to sudden sensitivity.
7. Developmental Enamel Defects: Certain medical conditions, nutritional deficiencies, or disruptions during tooth formation at a young age can interfere with proper enamel mineralization. This can lead to enamel that is thin, pitted, or poorly formed, making teeth more vulnerable to wear and sensitivity throughout life.

What are Some Common Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth?

The most common symptom of sensitive teeth is sharp, shooting pain when exposed to triggers, such as:

• Hot or cold foods and drinks
• Sweet or acidic substances
• Cold air
• Brushing or flossing

The pain usually lasts only a few seconds after the trigger is removed. However, if the discomfort persists for more than 30 seconds, it could be a sign of pulp infection or another serious dental issue.

How to Relieve Pain from Sensitive Teeth

While long-term relief from teeth sensitivity requires addressing the root cause, here are some quick pain-relief options we recommend our patients:

1. Using Desensitizing Toothpaste: These toothpastes contain potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride that block nerve signals. For best results, apply a pea-sized amount on your fingertip, rub it over the affected area, and leave it for five minutes before spitting (do not rinse).
2. Rinse with Warm Salt Water: Mixing half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water creates a natural antiseptic rinse. Swishing it around the mouth for around 30 seconds can reduce inflammation, soothe gum irritation, and help kill bacteria that may worsen sensitivity.
3. Try Fluoride Mouthwash or Sugar-Free Gum: A fluoride rinse strengthens weakened enamel, making it less likely for temperature changes or certain foods to trigger discomfort. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help because it increases saliva flow, which naturally protects teeth, and some gum varieties contain potassium nitrate for added sensitivity relief.
4. Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or general pain relievers such as acetaminophen can help reduce discomfort. This should be considered a temporary measure until you can get the exact diagnosis and treatment from your dentist.

Professional Treatments for Sensitive Teeth

If at-home care does not help, we may recommend one or more of the following professional treatments for teeth sensitivity:

• Fluoride Varnish: A concentrated fluoride coating is applied to the teeth, creating a protective layer of calcium fluoride that seals dentin tubules and reduces pain.
• Resin Sealers or Bonding Agents: These materials form a durable layer over exposed dentin, blocking stimuli from reaching the tooth’s nerves.
• Gum Grafting: Tissue from one area of the mouth or donor tissue is placed over exposed roots caused by gum recession.
• Laser Therapy: A dental laser seals dentin tubules and interferes with nerve signals, reducing the transmission of pain to the brain.
• Root Canal Treatment: If sensitivity is caused by infection or damage to the pulp and all other treatments have failed, a root canal can remove the infected tissue and relieve pain.

How to Prevent Teeth Sensitivity

Preventing teeth sensitivity is easier than treating it. Here are some tips you can follow:

1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush twice a day, floss daily, and replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
2. Use Fluoridated Toothpaste: Fluoride strengthens enamel, making it more resistant to wear and decay that can lead to sensitivity.
3. Wear a Guard if You Grind Teeth: A custom-made night guard protects enamel from damage caused by bruxism during sleep.
4. Adopt a Balanced Diet: Limit acidic foods, sugary drinks, and sticky snacks that can erode enamel and irritate gums.
5. Quit Smoking and Tobacco Use: Using tobacco products increases the risk of gum disease as well, and can worsen tooth sensitivity.
6. Brush Gently: Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and brush gently without damaging your enamel or pushing gums back.
7. Schedule Regular Dental Checkups: Routine visits help your dentist detect early signs of problems that could cause sensitivity, allowing for prompt treatment.

Final Thoughts

Tooth sensitivity can occur due to many reasons, from worn enamel or gum recession to cavities or even recent dental work. Sometimes, mild sensitivity goes away with a desensitizing toothpaste and good daily care. But if the pain is sharp, frequent, or doesn’t go away, it could be your body’s way of telling you something more serious is going on. 

Consulting a dentist for sensitive teeth can help you pinpoint the cause and get appropriate treatment. The sooner you get it checked, the easier it is to prevent bigger dental problems down the road.

Want to Enjoy Your Favorite Foods Without the Worry of Tooth Sensitivity?

Get in touch with Brooklyn Blvd Dental today! Our team specializes in providing effective solutions for sensitive teeth so you can eat and drink freely.

As trusted dentists in brooklyn park mn, we take our time to understand your special dental needs and offer personalized care that delivers lasting relief.

To book a consultation, you can call us at (763) 533-8669 or visit us at 5831 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429. 

FAQs 

1. What causes sensitive teeth?

Sensitive teeth usually happen when enamel wears down or gums recede, exposing the dentin underneath. This allows heat, cold, sweetness, acidity, or even air to reach the tooth’s nerves and trigger pain.

2. What are the symptoms of sensitive teeth?

The most common sign is a quick, sharp pain that comes and goes, usually triggered by hot or cold drinks, sweet or acidic foods, or even a burst of cool air.

3. How is tooth sensitivity diagnosed?

Your dentist will check for enamel loss, cavities, and gum recession. They may also take X-rays to look for hidden issues, such as tooth decay or problems inside the tooth.

4. What treatments are available for sensitive teeth?

Treatment depends on the cause of sensitivity and may include desensitizing toothpaste, fluoride varnishes, bonding agents, gum grafting, or, in severe cases, a root canal to remove the infected nerve.

5. Can sensitive teeth be prevented?

Yes. Brushing gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush, regularly using fluoride toothpaste, limiting acidic or sugary foods, and keeping up with regular dental checkups can all help prevent sensitivity.