Sensitive Teeth

Teeth sensitivity is very common. While sensitive teeth might seem like a minor issue at first, it can sometimes start to affect your daily life. From avoiding certain foods to needing to brush more cautiously than you’d like, the discomfort can persist for longer than it should.

Sensitive teeth are usually manageable and often easily treatable. Whether the issue is mild or more severe, it’s often a good idea to see your dentist to find a suitable treatment or to create a tailored management plan.

At Oasis Dental Studio, we have experienced cosmetic and general dentists who can assess your sensitive teeth and determine the right approach to treatment or management. Please get in touch with our team in the Gold Coast, Brisbane or Pottsville to schedule your appointment.

What Sensitive Teeth May Feel Like

Teeth sensitivity is a sudden, uncomfortable feeling that occurs when teeth react to cold air, hot drinks, sweet or acidic foods, or brushing and flossing. The sensation might be sharp and sudden or more like a dull ache.

Most often, the sensitivity is coming from the layer underneath the enamel, called dentine. Dentine contains small tubules that lead directly to the tooth’s nerve. If the enamel wears away or the gums recede and expose part of the tooth root, the tubules can become exposed, and things like heat, cold, or pressure can cause a sensitive reaction.

Common Causes of Sensitive Teeth

There’s no single cause of teeth sensitivity – often, it’s linked to enamel wear or gum issues, but sometimes it’s a sign of something else going on beneath the surface.

• Brushing too vigorously

  It might feel like you’re doing the right thing by scrubbing your teeth thoroughly, but brushing too hard or using a firm-bristled toothbrush can wear down enamel and cause gum recession over time.

  Instead, brushing gently and avoiding using a rough-bristled toothbrush can sufficiently keep your teeth clean without impacting your enamel or gums.

• Using whitening products or irritating toothpastes

  At-home whitening kits and certain toothpastes can contain ingredients that can irritate the dentine layer and make your teeth feel more sensitive, especially if you’re already prone to teeth sensitivity.

  If you have sensitive teeth, we recommend switching to a specially formulated toothpaste that is designed to protect sensitive teeth. If you want to whiten your teeth, you should only have professional whitening treatments that are performed by your dentist.

  While at-home whitening treatments are formulated as a one-size-fits-all treatment, which can be too intense for those with sensitive teeth, in-clinic whitening treatments can be carefully personalised.

• Recent dental work

  If you’ve recently had a filling, crown, or whitening treatment, it’s not unusual to experience some temporary teeth sensitivity.

  However, if it persists for longer than what is typically expected, it can be helpful to see your dentist to rule out any other possible causes or to find a way to reduce the sensitivity.

• Enamel erosion

  Acidic foods, frequent soft drink consumption, and even acid reflux can wear away the protective outer layer of your teeth. Once the enamel gets thin, the underlying dentine becomes more exposed and much more reactive.

  Enamel erosion is fairly common and may sometimes need treatment with bonding or sealants, depending on the extent of the erosion.

• Gum recession

  Gums can naturally recede with age, but the process can sometimes be sped up by factors like gum disease or over-brushing. When the softer root surface of the tooth becomes exposed, it can be far more sensitive to temperature and touch.

  Depending on the severity of the gum recession, gum grafts may be needed to cover the exposed root surfaces, so it’s important to see your dentist to assess the condition.

• Teeth grinding (bruxism)

  Grinding or clenching your teeth can slowly wear away the enamel, leading to sensitivity – particularly along the biting surfaces. Some people may grind their teeth while they are asleep and don’t realise it’s happening until they start noticing changes in how their teeth feel.

  Bruxism may sometimes need to be treated by wearing mouth guards, particularly overnight. When you see your dentist, a custom-made guard can be made to fit comfortably over your teeth.

• Cracked or chipped teeth

  Even a small crack or chip can create a pathway for sensations to reach the nerve. In more serious cases, this can also lead to infection or pain that goes beyond basic sensitivity.

  There can be a variety of causes of cracked or chipped teeth, and it’s not uncommon. However, it can help to have the extent of the damaged assessed to determine if any dental repair treatment will be necessary.

• Tooth decay or worn fillings

  Cavities and older dental work that’s beginning to break down can expose the sensitive parts of the tooth. If this is the cause, the sensitivity is usually limited to a specific area and might worsen over time.

  If you have tooth decay, worn fillings or any other damage, it’s important to contact a dentist for a check-up. If left untreated, these issues can lead to other dental concerns over time.

Possible Treatment Options for Teeth Sensitivity

Our dentists at Oasis Dental Studio can perform a variety of treatments to help reduce teeth sensitivity. They can also create management plans to help manage sensitive teeth in the longer term. The right treatment approach will depend on the cause of the tooth sensitivity.

• Desensitising toothpastes

  There are types of toothpastes that are designed to block the tubules in the dentine and stop the signal from reaching the nerve. It can take a few weeks of regular use to notice a difference, but many people find this switch helpful.

• Fluoride treatments

  Having in-clinic fluoride treatments or using at-home products can help to strengthen the enamel and reduce sensitivity over time. These treatments are often used alongside a change in brushing technique or products.

• Bonding or sealants

  If the teeth sensitivity is coming from exposed root surfaces or worn enamel, your dentist may apply a thin layer of bonding material or a sealant to cover the exposed area and protect it from irritants.

• Custom-made mouth guards

  If you’re grinding your teeth, especially at night, a custom-made mouthguard can protect your enamel and stop further wear.

• Gum grafts

  In more advanced cases of gum recession, a minor procedure may be need to be performed to cover exposed root surfaces with a small amount of gum tissue from another part of the mouth.

• Other dental repair treatments

  If a cracked tooth, cavity, or old filling is the cause of your sensitive teeth, your dentist might recommend a new filling, crown, or other repair. Once the issue is resolved, the sensitivity usually improves.

How to Care for Sensitive Teeth at Home

Whether or not you will need to have any dental treatments performed, it’s important to know how to manage sensitive teeth at home in the long run. Following some helpful steps can help to reduce teeth sensitivity and prevent it from worsening in the future.

You can care for sensitive teeth at home by:

• Using a toothbrush with soft bristes
• Brushing gently
• Trying a toothpaste made specifically for sensitive teeth
• Avoiding overly acidic foods and drinks
• Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash
• Waiting for at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing, especially after something acidic
• Keeping up with regular dental check-ups