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Sensitive teeth

 
 

If you’re experiencing a sharp pain that shoots down to the root of your tooth when eating or drinking, you may have a sensitive tooth.

When you discover a new sensitivity, it’s best to see a dentist and have the tooth examined. While it may come and go, sensitivity may be a sign of decay or cracks that are best addressed early.

 
 

What are sensitive teeth?

Tooth sensitivity is usually marked by sharp, shooting pain in a tooth or teeth. It’s normally experienced when teeth are exposed to hot, cold, sweet or acidic foods, however in severe cases you may feel pain when breathing through your mouth.

If you have sensitive teeth, it could be a sign of a deeper underlying problem. Sensitivity can be a temporary or chronic condition, but is often treated with simple changes to your oral health routine.

 

Symptoms of sensitive teeth

  • Pain or discomfort after eating cold, hot, sweet or acidic food or drinks

  • Sharp pain when chewing

  • Pain when breathing through your mouth

  • Pain when stepping into a cold environment.

 

Common causes of sensitive teeth

Sensitive teeth are usually caused by exposed dentine. Dentine is a hard layer below the enamel of your teeth. There are a number of causes for exposed dentine, including:

In some cases you may feel minor sensitivity following certain dental treatments, however this should not last more than a few weeks.

 

Treating sensitive teeth at home

To treat sensitive teeth, you can try special desensitising toothpastes that are available over the counter or at your local supermarket. These may help to reduce sensitivity, however they’re not a replacement for proper treatment from a dentist.

That said, at-home treatment can only mask the pain. It’s not usually able to address more serious underlying causes. 

The best way to manage sensitive teeth at home is to maintain a regular brushing and flossing routine using a soft toothbrush. Avoid too much acidic or sugary foods.

 

When to see a dentist

If you’re experiencing a new sensitivity, it’s a good idea to book an appointment with your dentist. However, you may find that the sensitivity passes before you get to your appointment. Even so, it’s important to have a dentist examine your teeth as sensitivity is known to come and go while the underlying issue remains.

As a general rule, pain for more than two days is a good reason to see your dentist.

 

What to expect

Don’t stress about seeing the dentist for sensitive teeth. We’re here to help you put your dental pain to an end. When you come to see the dentist about sensitive teeth, we’ll begin with a consultation and examination to determine the underlying cause of sensitivity.

Before your appointment, it can help to think about the answers to the following questions, so your consultation goes nice and quickly:

  • When did the pain start and how severe is it?

  • Where does the sensitivity occur?

  • Does it react more to hot, cold, sweet or acidic foods?

  • What have you found that helps, if anything?

After some quick questions, we’ll perform a simple examination and provide a diagnosis. We’ll then discuss possible treatment options with you before proceeding.

 

Related treatments

Cleaning and prevention →

Dental fillings →

 

Cost of treatment

The cost of treating sensitive teeth can vary significantly depending on the cause of sensitivity, and the severity of the underlying problem. 

Here at Kowhai Dental in Whangarei, our initial consultations start at $183. Of course, if your treatment requires more than an examination, this price may increase (i.e. if you require a cleaning, or fillings). See our pricing page for more information.

 
 

 

Got questions

  • Yes. Tooth sensitivity is known to come and go. However, just because the pain fades, doesn’t mean the problem is solved. It’s likely that your sensitivity will return if the underlying problem isn’t addressed.

  • Tooth sensitivity can be temporary or chronic. If your sensitivity doesn’t fade after a few days, it’s worth visiting a dentist. Left alone, the sensitivity may continue.

  • Absolutely. But remember if you’re trying to treat it at home – while desensitising toothpaste can reduce sensitivity, it doesn’t fix the underlying cause. To address the cause of sensitive teeth and ultimately fix the problem, you’ll need a dentist

  • Desensitising toothpaste is a valid option for reducing sensitivity, however it should not replace a consultation with your dentist. Other home remedies such as a salt water rinse may help to address the pain in some cases by reducing inflammation.

  • Some teeth whitening procedures can cause sensitivity. Whitening employs a bleaching solution, which can make the enamel in your teeth temporarily porous. This porosity makes it easier for acids, sugars and extreme temperatures to reach your dentine – triggering sensitivity.