Teeth sensitivity is when your dentition feels mild discomfort or sharp pain during everyday activities such as eating, drinking, or speaking. The sensitivity wasn't always there before but it gradually grew more noticeable over time.
This oral condition is an indication that something pathological may be happening in your mouth. It is your body's way of letting you know that you should seek help so that you can stop it from getting worse.
You can think of it as an S.O.S. signal.
Table of Contents:
Types of teeth sensitivity
Sometimes you can pinpoint what triggers it while other times it may feel spontaneous. Teeth don't have to be sensitive to every trigger, they can be sensitive to some and not others. It is dependent on the individual.
Teeth can be sensitive to:
Hot
Sweet
Sour
Spicy
Acidic
Signs & Symptoms
Teeth that are sensitive will feel discomfort or even pain when they are triggered by stimuli.
Signs of sensitivity:
Discomfort when drinking cold water or other beverages.
Sensitivity after eating an acidic meal.
Feels worse when you wake up in the morning.
When you suck in cold air it feels uncomfortable.
Receding gums.
Most often, teeth with receded gum lines like in the photo above exhibit sensitivity. The exposed root surface is filled with exposed nerve that are not used to stimulation.
Causes
Teeth can become sensitive due to a plethora of oral conditions. There is no singular cause of dentinal hypersensitivity which contributes to the complexity of its treatment.
Causes of tooth sensitivity:
Brushing aggressively. Brushing your teeth with a heavy hand especially with a hard bristled brush can result in gum recession which leads to sensitivity. The mouth is a delicate place and you need to treat it with respect.
Gum recession. If the gums recede, the sensitive tooth root will become exposed.
Gum disease. Untreated gingivitis will lead to periodontitis, which may cause bone loss and gum loss. This will progress towards the gums receding.
Pregnancy. Teeth do tend to get more sensitive during pregnancy. You may notice your gums bleeding more as well.
Cracked teeth. If you chip or break away the enamel, it can leave the sensitive dentin layer exposed. The purpose of the enamel is to protect the dentin from stimuli.
Teeth grinding. Grinding or clenching your teeth will eventually cause enamel wear. This will ultimately lead to and exposed dentin or root surfaces that are sensitive.
Teeth whitening products. A common side effect of whitening your teeth is tooth sensitivity. This is to be expected if you're using a high peroxide concentration or if you whiten for an extended period of time.
Plaque buildup. Plaque is biofilm consisting of bacteria, having it on your teeth will make them sensitive.
Acidic foods. Excessive consumption of acidic foods such as coffee, wine, sodas, citrus fruits, tomatoes, pickles and tea, can erode the enamel.
Recent dental procedures. Vital teeth may become sensitive after dental procedures. As an example, for a filling your dentist has to drill away a part of your tooth. If you're not sensitive afterwards, we'd be amazed.
Pulpitis. Tooth nerve inflammation either from infection or recent dental work.
Missing filling. Losing a tooth filling can certainly result in discomfort.
Alleged causes of sensitive teeth
Age. How old you are has no bearing on when your teeth will be sensitive. Sure, older patients may have more sensitivity but that's because they've had more time to develop any of the actual causes of sensitivity. It has nothing to do with age itself though.
Mouthwash. Using a mouth rinse will often help your teeth become less sensitive because most of them buffer an acidic oral environment. Less acids in the mouth means decreased symptoms.
The chart above shows how even Listerine which often burns will elevate the mouth pH.
Can it be due to an infection?
Teeth sensitivity can be due to an infection but not always. The most obvious infection related conditions would be a fracture, pulpitis, or an abscess.
You may not be able to tell what it is on your own which is why it is important to consult a dentist if you notice anything wrong. If it is indeed an infection, it needs to be treated promptly.
Treatments
The vast majority of mild sensitivity is managed at home while the moderate to severe conditions require professional treatment. Which type of treatment you need will depend on how bad your condition is.
Professional
There are many dental procedures which may help alleviate sensitivity for teeth. In some cases, it can even permanently get rid of the discomfort.
Dental procedures for sensitivity:
Fluoride varnish. Yes, fluoride treatment at the dentist can reduce sensitivity and studies have proven it so! The effects may last for a few months.
Dental bonding. Exposed root surfaces or receded gum areas can be covered up and protected with composite bonding.
Gum graft. Receded gums can be grown back with a soft tissue graft.
Veneers. A porcelain veneer is a longer last alternative to the bonding for sensitivity.
Crowns. An extremely sensitive tooth may require a full coverage tooth cap.
Root canal. Albeit extreme but if the nerve will not stop being hypersensitive, you could just remove it from the tooth. Afterwards the tooth will be dead and will no longer feel any sensations at all.
At home management
Mild tooth sensitivity can be managed at home with certain oral care products along with altering lifestyle habits. These two factors can help minimize the discomfort enough that it does not disrupt your quality of life.
How to manage sensitive teeth on a day to day basis:
Brush gently with a soft bristled brush. If you're using an electric toothbrush, set it to the lowest power setting.
Use sensitive toothpaste. Make sure it has stannous fluoride, potassium nitrate, or hydroxyapatite as the desensitizing agents.
Reduce consumption of acidic foods. These usually trigger the discomfort or make it worse. You'll be better off not eating so much of them.
Maintain good oral hygiene. Brushing with sensitive toothpaste after every meal is ideal if you're able to do it. If you can't brush after eating, at least rinse with mouthwash or even plain water for at least 60 seconds. This will wash away the acids from the sensitive parts of your teeth.
Wear night guard. If the discomfort is from worn away teeth, ask your dentist to fabricate a custom night guard. This will prevent your teeth from getting worse.
If you're able to implement most of these recommendations, it should help you immensely in alleviating your discomfort.
Duration
How long does sensitive teeth last?
Sensitive teeth will stay sensitive for as long as the cause remains. In other words, if you don't treat whatever is causing you discomfort it can potentially last forever. When your dentition become sensitive, it usually does so for a reason.
Can sensitive tooth pain go away on its own?
The sensitivity may go away on its own if it was caused by a one time reversible event such as recent dental work. Your tooth may be uncomfortable for a day or two after getting it filled but once you recover, it should dissipate on its own.
However, there are conditions where the sensitivity won't go away on its own such as a fractured tooth or an infection. These require professional treatment in order to get rid of the discomfort permanently. These will not dissipate if you leave them untreated.
When to seek help
You should schedule an appointment with your dentist if your teeth sensitivity gets progressively worse or if it wakes you up at night. Those are indications of conditions that won't go away without professional treatment.
Nonetheless, we still recommend seeking a consultation even if the discomfort is fairly mild. This is especially true if it has been longer than six months since your last dental check up. If you're in Long Island City, our dentists can assist you.
