Do you take a sip of a cold drink and then experience a sudden jolt of pain in a tooth? Perhaps a spoonful of hot soup triggers the same sharp reaction? That quick flash of pain deserves attention, especially when it starts suddenly, affects one specific tooth, or worsens over time.
Sensitive teeth affect people for many different reasons. Some cases respond well to small changes in daily care, while others require professional treatment.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Healthy enamel protects the crowns of your teeth, while gum tissue protects your tooth roots. When enamel wears down, or gums recede, the softer inner layer underneath called dentin loses some of its protection.
A previous article on the structure of the tooth explained that dentin contains tiny channels that lead toward the nerves inside the tooth. When dentin looses it’s protection, drastic temperature changes (hot/cold) and reactions to sweet or acidic foods travel to those nerves, triggering a sharp pain.
Several common problems expose or irritate dentin, causing sensitivity:
Worn Tooth Enamel
Worn enamel often comes from years of aggressive brushing, acidic foods, teeth grinding, or normal tooth aging. Once the enamel surface weakens, temperature changes reach the sensitive inner structures more easily.
Using a hard-bristled toothbrush or continuing to aggressively brush adds to the problem. Gentle brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush removes plaque while protecting enamel and gum tissue.
Gum Recession
Gums that begin to recede slowly expose portions of the tooth roots. Unlike your visible teeth, roots lack a thick enamel covering, which leaves them more vulnerable to temperature changes and decay.
Gum disease, forceful brushing, aging, and teeth grinding often contribute to gum recession. Treatment depends on the amount of recession and the health of the surrounding tissue.
Tooth Decay
A cavity breaks through the tooth’s protective surface and creates a direct route to the more sensitive dentin. Early decay sometimes causes mild sensitivity to sweets, heat, or cold. Decay that is deeper or has been allowed to continue for some time without treatment usually produces longer-lasting pain or discomfort while biting.
The sensitivity that develops due to a cavity rarely disappears without professional treatment.
Cracks and Worn Fillings
Small fractures or cracks in a tooth that may be difficult to see without a dental examination may also create a sharp pain sensation when you chew, release your bite, or drink something cold. The size and depth of the crack determine the treatment needed.
As they age, tooth fillings also wear down, loosen, or develop gaps around their edges. Those small openings allow bacteria to enter, causing tooth sensitivity. Treatment is necessary to provide the tooth with the protection it needs to remain healthy and eliminate the sensitivity.
Recent Dental Treatments
At times, a recent dental treatment causes temporary tooth sensitivity. Examples include professional tooth whitening, fillings, crowns, and some deep cleanings. This sensitivity and discomfort should fade in the days after the procedure. If you experience sensitivity that worsens or lasts longer than expected, it needs to be evaluated by your dentist.
Tooth Sensitivity Treatment Options
The right treatment for sensitivity begins with the right diagnosis.
For mild sensitivity, a dentist might recommend:
- Regularly using a desensitizing toothpaste. These products reduce the transmission of sensations from the tooth surface to the nerve.
- Fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel and provide added protection for exposed tooth areas.
- Dental bonding to cover vulnerable root surfaces.
- A custom nightguard if sensitivity is coming from grinding their teeth while sleeping.
Cavities, damaged fillings, cracked teeth, and infections require treatment directed at the underlying condition. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include:
- Repair or replacement of fillings.
- Placement of a crown or root canal treatment.
- Periodontal treatment for patients with gum recession or disease.
- Another restorative procedure based on the cause of sensitivity.
A few daily habits also protect sensitive teeth:
- Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and sensitive toothpaste.
- Limit frequent acidic foods and beverages.
- Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after eating and drinking.
- Wear a custom nightguard.
- Schedule regular dental exams and cleanings.
When Sensitivity Needs Emergency Care
Not every sensitive tooth needs emergency care. Brief discomfort that occurs only with cold foods often can be addressed at your regular dental appointment. Sudden or severe sensitivity is a different story.
Contact an emergency dentist promptly when sensitivity accompanies:
- Severe, throbbing, or persistent tooth pain
- Facial, jaw, or gum swelling
- Fever or a general feeling of illness
- A broken, cracked, or knocked-out tooth
- Pain when biting or placing pressure on a tooth
- Pus, drainage, or a bad taste near the affected area
- Sensitivity that lingers long after heat or cold disappears
- Rapidly increasing pain
Difficulty breathing or swallowing, substantial facial swelling, or swelling near the eye requires immediate medical attention. Call 911 or visit the nearest hospital emergency department.
Same-Day Help From Paramount Dental
Don’t allow tooth sensitivity to control what you eat, drink, or enjoy. Paramount Dental wants to help you determine the reason for your tooth sensitivity and the treatment that will eliminate the discomfort.
Contact Paramount Dental today to make an appointment. We also provide urgent dental care and same-day appointments for patients experiencing sudden sensitivity, tooth pain, swelling, cracked teeth, and other dental concerns. Experience the relief you deserve today!
