Sensitive teeth: why it happens and what you can do
A sharp, short twinge when you drink something cold, eat something sweet or breathe in cold air is very common. It usually happens when the softer layer under the enamel, called dentine, becomes exposed. This guide explains the common causes, what you can do at home, and when to see us at Gentle Touch Dental Clinic.
Common causes of sensitive teeth
Dentine has tiny channels that lead towards the nerve of the tooth. When it is exposed, cold, heat, sweet or sour food can reach the nerve more easily and cause a quick, sharp feeling.
- Worn enamel from brushing too hard, a hard-bristled brush or acidic food and drinks
- Gum recession, which exposes the root surface of the tooth
- Cavities (tooth decay), especially near the gum line
- Cracked or chipped teeth, or a broken or leaking filling
- Recent whitening, which often causes short-term sensitivity
- A recent filling, crown or cleaning, after which mild sensitivity can last a little while
- Grinding or clenching, often at night, which wears teeth down
- Gum disease, which can lead to receding gums
What you can do at home
- Use a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth twice a day. It usually takes a couple of weeks of regular use to help.
- At night, you can rub a small amount of the sensitive toothpaste onto the sensitive area and leave it on without rinsing.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and replace it every three months or when the bristles splay.
- Brush gently in small circles along the gum line. Avoid hard, side-to-side scrubbing.
- After acidic food or drinks (citrus, soft drinks, pickles), rinse with water and wait about 30 minutes before brushing.
- Use fluoride toothpaste and do not rinse it away straight after brushing; just spit out the extra.
Habits that can make it worse
- Scrubbing hard or using a hard-bristled brush
- Frequent sipping of soft drinks, fruit juice or lemon water through the day
- Abrasive whitening toothpastes or powders on already sensitive teeth
- Repeated home whitening without dental advice
- Grinding or clenching your teeth, or using them to open packets
When to see a dentist
- Sensitivity that lasts more than two weeks, even with a sensitive toothpaste
- Pain that lingers for a long time after the hot or cold has gone, or pain that wakes you at night
- Sensitivity in one particular tooth, or pain when you bite down
- A visible hole, crack, chipped tooth or broken filling
- Gums that bleed, look swollen or seem to be pulling back from the teeth
- Severe sensitivity or gum soreness after whitening
- Swelling of the gum or face, or fever with tooth pain (see a dentist urgently)
Is it sensitivity or a toothache? Sensitivity is usually a quick, sharp feeling that fades within seconds. Throbbing pain, pain that lasts, or swelling points to a different problem. Read toothache: what to do and when to see a dentist.
What the clinic may check or offer
The aim is to find out why your teeth are sensitive and treat the cause, not only the symptom. Your options and the fee are explained before any treatment begins.
Questions and examination
The dentist asks what triggers the sensitivity and how long it lasts, then checks your teeth, gums and bite for worn areas, recession, cavities, cracks or leaking fillings.
Simple tests and X-ray
A gentle puff of air or a cold test helps find the sensitive tooth. An X-ray, if needed, shows decay between teeth or problems near the root.
Protecting exposed areas
A desensitising or fluoride varnish can be painted on sensitive areas. Worn or exposed root surfaces can sometimes be covered with a tooth-coloured filling (bonding).
Treating the cause
This may mean a filling for a cavity, replacing a leaking filling, gum treatment for gum disease, a crown for a cracked tooth, or a night guard if you grind your teeth.
If the nerve is affected
When sensitivity comes from an inflamed or infected nerve, root canal treatment may be advised. This is not needed for most sensitive teeth.
Sensitive after whitening? Read about whitening and aftercare in our cosmetic dentistry guide, and ask us before starting any home whitening.
Common questions
Is tooth sensitivity serious?
Often it is mild and can be managed with a sensitive toothpaste and gentle brushing. But sensitivity can also be an early sign of a cavity, a cracked tooth or gum recession, so it is worth getting checked if it lasts more than a couple of weeks or keeps getting worse.
How long does a sensitive toothpaste take to work?
It usually needs regular use, twice a day, for a couple of weeks or more before you notice a difference. Keep using it even after the sensitivity eases, as the effect fades if you stop.
Is sensitivity after teeth whitening normal?
Some sensitivity during or after whitening is common and usually temporary. If it is severe, or your gums burn or feel sore, stop whitening and contact your dentist.
My tooth is sensitive after a new filling. Is that normal?
Mild sensitivity for a few days to a few weeks can happen after a filling, especially a deep one. If it gets worse, lasts longer, or the tooth hurts when you bite because the filling feels high, contact the clinic so it can be checked.
Can receding gums grow back?
Gum that has receded usually does not grow back on its own. Gentle brushing, treating gum disease and regular check-ups help stop it getting worse, and exposed root surfaces can often be protected to reduce sensitivity.
Does sensitivity mean I need a root canal?
Usually not. Most sensitivity comes from exposed dentine and settles with home care or simple treatment. A root canal is considered only when the nerve inside the tooth is inflamed or infected, for example when pain lingers long after the cold has gone or wakes you at night. An examination and X-ray show which it is.
How much does a check-up for sensitive teeth cost?
The consultation is ₹500, and an X-ray, if needed, is ₹500. The fee for any treatment is confirmed after the examination and explained before treatment begins. See our treatment costs page.
Sensitive teeth bothering you?
Message Dr S. Barath Kumar on WhatsApp or call the clinic to book a check-up.
Gentle Touch Dental Clinic · U 74, New No 58, 5th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai 600040 (near Tower Park). Monday–Saturday: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Sunday: closed; emergency appointments on call at +91 98840 15026. Get directions.
This page is general information and not a diagnosis. Please see a dentist for advice about your own teeth.
More dental care guides
Toothache: what to do
Home care steps, warning signs and when to see a dentist.
Read the guide →Root canal: what to expect
Each step of root canal treatment, number of visits, crown and aftercare.
Read the guide →Preventive dentistry
Check-ups, professional cleaning and everyday home care.
Read the guide →Periodontics (gums)
Bleeding gums, gum disease, scaling and deep cleaning.
Read the guide →Cosmetic dentistry
Teeth whitening, veneers and smile makeovers that look natural.
Read the guide →Endodontics
Root canal treatment, microscopic RCT and retreatment of failed root canals.
Read the guide →Geriatric dentistry
Dental care for older adults: dry mouth, root decay, dentures and caregiver tips.
Read the guide →Treatment costs
Approximate prices for consultation, cleaning, root canal, crowns, implants and braces.
See the costs →