What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
Tooth sensitivity happens when dentine — the porous layer beneath your enamel — becomes exposed. Dentine contains thousands of tiny tubules that lead directly to the tooth's nerve. When hot, cold, sweet, or acidic substances reach these tubules, you feel pain. Several conditions can cause this exposure:
- Enamel erosion: Acidic foods and drinks, aggressive brushing, or teeth grinding gradually wear down the enamel, leaving dentine unprotected.
- Gum recession: When gums pull back from the tooth, the root surface (which has no enamel) is exposed. Gum disease is a leading cause of recession.
- Tooth decay: Cavities create openings in the enamel that allow cold to reach the nerve more easily.
- Cracked or chipped teeth: Even hairline cracks can let cold penetrate to the nerve inside.
- Recent dental work: Some sensitivity after fillings, crowns, or whitening treatments is normal and usually temporary.
How Tooth Sensitivity Is Treated
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Your dentist will examine your teeth, identify the source of sensitivity, and recommend one or more of these approaches:
At-Home Treatments
- Desensitising toothpaste: Contains compounds like potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride that block pain signals over time. Results usually take 2–4 weeks of consistent use.
- Soft-bristle toothbrush: Switching to a softer brush and using gentle, circular strokes helps prevent further enamel loss and gum irritation.
- Avoiding acidic foods: Limiting citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, and vinegar-based dressings reduces acid attacks on your enamel.
In-Clinic Treatments
- Fluoride varnish or gel: Applied directly to sensitive areas, professional fluoride strengthens enamel and reduces tubule exposure.
- Dental bonding or sealant: A thin layer of resin is painted over exposed root surfaces to shield them from cold and other stimuli.
- Scaling and polishing: Removing plaque and tartar buildup keeps gums healthy and prevents further recession. At Trust Dental, scaling and polishing starts from $85 before GST (9%).
- Gum graft surgery: For severe gum recession, a small amount of tissue is taken from elsewhere in the mouth and attached to the receding area to cover exposed roots.
- Root canal treatment: If sensitivity is severe and persistent — often indicating nerve damage or deep decay — a root canal may be necessary to remove the affected nerve. Patients aged 60 and above can use Flexi-MediSave (up to $200/year before GST) for root canal treatment.
How to Prevent Tooth Sensitivity
Prevention is always better than treatment. You can protect your teeth from developing sensitivity by following these habits:
- Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush
- Floss once a day to keep gums healthy and prevent gum disease
- Limit acidic and sugary foods and drinks
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth while sleeping
- Visit your dentist every 6 months for a check-up and professional cleaning
- Wait at least 30 minutes after eating acidic food before brushing to avoid scrubbing softened enamel
When to See a Dentist
Mild, occasional sensitivity that affects multiple teeth is usually manageable with desensitising toothpaste. However, you should book a dental appointment if:
- The sensitivity is concentrated in a single tooth
- Pain lingers for more than a few seconds after the cold stimulus is removed
- You also notice swelling, bleeding gums, or a persistent toothache
- Sensitivity does not improve after 2–4 weeks of using desensitising toothpaste
These signs may point to decay, a crack, or an infection that needs professional treatment. Early intervention prevents the problem from getting worse — and more costly to fix.