If you experience sudden, sharp pain in your teeth when exposed to certain triggers like hot, cold, sweet, acidic foods or even just touch, it’s time to pay attention. This pain, called dentine hypersensitivity, can be quite uncomfortable and often makes it difficult to enjoy your favourite foods and drinks. Imagine biting into a cool dessert or sipping hot coffee and feeling a jolt of pain—that’s tooth sensitivity in action.
But don’t worry, you’re not alone in this, and there are effective ways to manage dentine hypersensitivity and reduce this pain. With the right care and treatment, you can get back to enjoying your meals and drinks without that annoying pain.
Exposed dentine
Dentine is the layer beneath your tooth enamel. This important part of the tooth structure contains numerous tiny tubules that lead directly to the nerve centre of your tooth. When the enamel becomes thin or recedes, these tubules are exposed. When they receive external stimuli, such as temperature changes, sweets or acids, it can travel down the tubules and activate the nerves, causing sharp jolts of pain.
- Acidic foods/drinks
- Bruxism
- Cracked Teeth
- Enamel wear
- Gum Recession
- Age
- Cavities
- Dental works
- Gingivitis
- Tooth whitening
Sensitivity relief at home
Your dentist is the right person to give you personalised recommendations on oral care products, effective brushing techniques and dietary adjustments tailored to your needs.
This is your first line of defence against dentine hypersensitivity. Desensitising toothpastes contain ingredients that work in two main ways: they soothe the nerves in your teeth, preventing them from being triggered by stimuli like cold, and they create a barrier over the sensitive areas to stop them from responding to these stimuli.
Key ingredients include potassium nitrate, arginine and calcium carbonate, strontium chloride, stannous fluoride and calcium sodium phosphosilicate. For optimal results, use these toothpastes regularly, typically twice daily. Popular brands include Sensodyne®, Colgate® Sensitive and BioMin F®.
Look for mouthwashes specifically formulated for sensitive teeth. These products often contain desensitising agents like potassium nitrate, which helps block pain signals to the nerves, or strontium chloride, which plugs the exposed tubules. This provides additional relief throughout the day by creating a physical barrier and calming down the nerves. Go for alcohol-free formulas if you also have sensitive gums, as they can cleanse and soothe without irritating.
Aggressive brushing can contribute to gum recession, which is when the gum tissue wears away, exposing more of the tooth and potentially leading to tooth sensitivity and other dental issues. To prevent this, it’s essential to be gentle while brushing.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, as softer bristles are less likely to cause damage to the gums and enamel. When brushing, use a circular motion and focus on cleaning the surfaces of your teeth, including brushing at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line. Avoid applying too much pressure or scrubbing vigorously. This ensures that you effectively remove plaque and debris without causing harm to your gums. Remember, it’s the thoroughness of your brushing technique, not the force applied, that leads to optimal oral hygiene.
Certain foods and drinks can aggravate dentine hypersensitivity. Identifying these triggers is key to making dietary adjustments that minimise discomfort. For instance, if you experience a zap of pain with hot or cold beverages, opting for lukewarm drinks like herbal teas can be a soothing alternative. Likewise, acidic fruits like citrus fruits and tomatoes, or sugary snacks like candies and pastries, can exacerbate tooth sensitivity by eroding enamel or irritating exposed dentine.
Therefore, limiting the intake of these acidic and sugary culprits can significantly alleviate symptoms. Instead, focus on consuming foods that promote oral health. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are rich in calcium, which strengthens enamel. Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery stimulate saliva production, which helps naturally wash away food particles and bacteria. Water is also essential for staying hydrated and rinsing away lingering food debris that can contribute to sensitivity.
Seeking professional help
Self-care measures may offer limited temporary relief, but long-term oral health is a team effort. Consult your dentist without delay when you experience tooth sensitivity. Effective long-term relief depends on identifying the root cause of your dentine hypersensitivity and receiving personalised treatment tailored to your needs. Your dentist may offer in-office treatments, including:
Fluoride varnish is a concentrated fluoride solution that is applied directly to the surfaces of the teeth, including exposed root surfaces. It works by strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. Additionally, it blocks the tiny openings in the dentine called dentinal tubules, reducing sensitivity by preventing external stimuli from reaching the nerves inside the tooth.
Prophylaxis pastes are gritty toothpaste-like substances used during professional dental cleanings to polish the surfaces of the teeth and remove plaque and stains. While they are not specifically targeted at treating tooth sensitivity, regular dental cleanings with prophylaxis pastes can help maintain oral health. This is achieved by removing plaque and calculus buildup, which can contribute to gum recession and enamel erosion.
Dental bonding involves the application of a tooth-coloured resin material to the surface of the teeth. This resin is carefully sculpted and shaped to cover areas of chipped or cracked enamel and to protect exposed dentine. Dental bonding not only improves the appearance of the teeth by restoring their shape and colour but also provides a protective barrier that can reduce sensitivity to hot, cold and sweet stimuli.
Dental veneers are custom-made thin shells bonded to the front surface of the teeth. Typically made from porcelain or composite resin, these shells are designed to enhance the appearance of the teeth by concealing imperfections such as discolouration, chips or gaps. In addition to their cosmetic benefits, dental veneers can also prevent tooth sensitivity by covering and sealing the tooth surfaces.
Dental crowns or caps, are tooth-shaped restorations placed over damaged or weakened teeth. They restore the tooth’s strength, function and appearance while also providing protection against sensitivity. Dental crowns are typically made from materials such as porcelain, ceramic or metal alloys and are custom-designed to fit snugly over the natural tooth structure.
Root canal therapy is a dental procedure used to treat severe cases of tooth sensitivity caused by infection or damage to the tooth’s pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. During the procedure, your dentist removes the infected or damaged pulp from the tooth’s interior, cleans and disinfects the root canal system, and seals it to prevent further infection. Root canal therapy alleviates sensitivity, saves the tooth from extraction and restores its function and strength with the placement of a dental crown.
Gingival grafting is a surgical procedure used to treat gum recession, which occurs when the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, exposing the roots. During the procedure, tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth or from a donor source and grafted onto the affected areas of the gums. This helps cover and protect the exposed root surfaces, reducing sensitivity and improving gum health. Gingival grafting can also help prevent further gum recession and may be recommended in cases where other treatments have been ineffective.
Laser therapy is a modern dental treatment that utilises focused light energy to address oral health issues, including tooth sensitivity. During laser therapy, your dentist uses a desensitisation dental laser device to target exposed root surfaces or sensitive gum tissue. The laser energy can help stimulate gum tissue regeneration, seal exposed dentine tubules and promote healing. This leads to reduced sensitivity and improved overall oral health. Laser therapy is minimally invasive, precise and often provides quick relief with minimal discomfort. It may be recommended as a standalone treatment or in combination with other dental procedures to manage sensitivity effectively.
Nightguards are custom-made dental appliances designed to protect the teeth from damage caused by clenching or grinding during sleep, a condition known as bruxism. Bruxism can contribute to sensitivity by wearing down enamel and causing gum recession. Nightguards create a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing them from making direct contact and reducing the pressure exerted on the teeth and jaw joints. By wearing a nightguard while sleeping, individuals with bruxism can help alleviate sensitivity and protect their oral health.
Take control of tooth sensitivity
Work with your dentist to get your tooth sensitivity under control! Maintaining consistent oral hygiene practices is essential for preventing dentine hypersensitivity from occurring in the first place. Brushing twice daily, flossing regularly, and scheduling routine dental checkups are vital steps to keeping your smile healthy and comfortable.
Combining effective self-care strategies with professional dental interventions can help you manage dentine hypersensitivity and reclaim a pain-free, enjoyable eating and drinking experience. Bid farewell to those uncomfortable sensations and welcome back joyful chewing!
