You take a sip of hot tea or bite into an ice block, and one tooth sends a sharp, quick jolt through your jaw. It is gone in a second or two, but it leaves you wondering what is wrong and whether you should be worried.
Tooth sensitivity is very common, and in many cases it has a simple explanation. It can also be an early sign of something that needs treatment. Here is how to tell the difference.
What is actually happening in a sensitive tooth
The outer layer of each tooth is enamel, which is hard and does not feel temperature. Underneath it is dentine, which is softer and contains thousands of tiny channels leading towards the nerve. When dentine is exposed, hot, cold, sweet or acidic things can reach those channels and set off a short, sharp pain.
So sensitivity is usually a sign that something has exposed the dentine. The question is what.
Common causes
Worn enamel. Enamel thins gradually over the years. Acidic food and drink, frequent snacking, heavy-handed brushing and grinding your teeth can all speed this up.
Gum recession. When gums pull back, the root surface of the tooth is exposed. Roots have no enamel covering, so they are naturally more sensitive. Recession can come from gum disease, brushing too hard, or simply from the way your teeth sit.
Tooth decay. A cavity can break through enamel and let temperature reach the dentine and nerve. Sensitivity in one particular tooth, especially one that is getting worse, is a reason to have it checked.
A cracked or chipped tooth. A small crack may only hurt when the tooth flexes, for example when you bite down or when something cold hits it.
Grinding or clenching. Many people grind their teeth at night without knowing. Over time this wears enamel and can leave teeth feeling tender, particularly in the morning.
Recent dental work or whitening. Mild, temporary sensitivity after a filling, a scale and clean or teeth whitening is common and usually settles. If it does not settle, tell your dentist.
Does sensitivity mean I have a cavity?
Not necessarily. Plenty of people have sensitive teeth with no decay at all, usually from worn enamel or exposed roots. But decay is one of the possible causes, and you cannot tell the difference by feel alone. A dental examination, and X-rays where they are clinically needed, is the only reliable way to find out.
What you can try at home
If the sensitivity is mild and general rather than focused on one tooth, these steps often help:
- Switch to a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth and use it consistently for a few weeks. It can take time to build up.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and let the brush do the work. Scrubbing hard does not clean better and can wear gums and enamel.
- Wait about 30 minutes after acidic food or drink before brushing, so you are not brushing softened enamel.
- Keep acidic drinks such as soft drinks, sports drinks and juices to mealtimes rather than sipping them all day.
- If you grind your teeth, ask us about a night guard.
When to worry
See a dentist rather than waiting it out if you notice any of the following:
- Pain that lingers for more than a minute or two after the hot or cold has gone
- Pain when you bite down or release a bite
- Sensitivity focused on one tooth that is getting worse
- Pain that wakes you at night or throbs without any trigger
- Swelling in your gum or face, or a bad taste or pimple-like bump on the gum
Lingering or spontaneous pain can mean the nerve is irritated or infected, and that needs prompt attention. If you are in pain right now, our guide to what to do about an emergency toothache explains the next steps.
How a dentist treats sensitivity
Treatment depends on the cause. It might be as simple as a desensitising treatment applied in the chair, a filling to seal decay or a worn area, or a recommendation to protect your teeth from grinding. If a nerve is affected, root canal treatment may be discussed. We will explain what we find and what the options are before anything is done.
Convenient for Mawson Lakes and the north
Our practice is at 1/3 Coventry Street, Mawson Lakes, close to the UniSA Mawson Lakes campus and an easy drive from Pooraka, Salisbury, Parafield Gardens and Ingle Farm. If your sensitivity has been bothering you, an after-work appointment is possible on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings.
Book a check
If your teeth have been giving you grief, a check-up is the quickest way to find out what is behind it. We are open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday until 7pm, so you can come in after work. You can book online or call us on (08) 8258 0650.
This article is general information and is not a substitute for a personal assessment. Any dental treatment carries risks, and you should seek advice from an appropriately qualified health practitioner about your own situation. Individual results may vary.