Understanding Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth cause a sharp pain when you eat or drink certain things. It is very common and usually treatable. Find out what causes it and what helps.
What is tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is a short, sharp pain in one or more teeth. It is usually set off by something hot, cold, sweet or sour. It can also happen when you breathe in cold air.
It is very common in the UK. The medical name is dentine hypersensitivity.
Under the hard outer layer of your tooth is a softer layer called dentine. Dentine is left bare when the outer layer wears away or your gum shrinks back. (The outer layer is enamel, or cementum over the root.)
Dentine has tiny channels that lead to the nerve of the tooth. When these are bare, heat and cold reach the nerve more easily. This causes the pain.
Common causes
Dentine can become bare for several reasons:
- Brushing too hard. Scrubbing with a hard brush, or pressing too hard, wears away enamel. It also pushes the gum back.
- Gums shrinking back (gum recession). This can be caused by gum disease or by brushing too hard. It leaves the sensitive root bare.
- Tooth erosion. Acid from drinks (fizzy drinks, fruit juice, sports drinks) or from acid reflux slowly dissolves enamel.
- Tooth grinding (bruxism). Grinding wears enamel down, mostly on the biting surfaces.
- Cracked or chipped teeth. Cracks can let heat, cold and feeling reach the nerve.
- Tooth whitening. Some people have short-term sensitivity during or after whitening.
- Recent dental work. Fillings and other treatment can cause short-term sensitivity.
Signs and symptoms
The main sign is a sudden, sharp pain that does not last long. It can be in one tooth or a group of teeth. It is set off by:
- Cold food or drinks, such as ice cream or cold water
- Hot drinks like tea or coffee
- Sweet or acidic food and drinks
- Breathing in cold air
- Brushing or flossing that area
Some pain is different from normal sensitivity. This is pain that lasts more than 30 seconds after the trigger has gone, or a constant ache that comes on by itself.
This may mean the nerve inside the tooth is inflamed or damaged. See your dental team soon. This type of pain may need root canal treatment rather than sensitivity treatment.
How is sensitivity treated?
Treatment depends on the cause:
- Sensitive toothpaste (desensitising toothpaste). It has ingredients (such as potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride) that block the tiny channels in dentine. Use it every day for several weeks to see results. After brushing, rub a small amount onto the sensitive tooth with your finger. Do not rinse.
- Fluoride varnish or gel. Your dental team puts this on at the practice. It makes enamel stronger and reduces sensitivity.
- Bonding or white filling material. This can be put on the bare root to seal and protect it.
- Gum treatment. If shrinking gums cause the sensitivity, treating gum disease or the cause of the shrinking may help.
- A mouthguard. If grinding is the cause, a custom-made night guard can protect your teeth.
What you can do at home
Simple changes can make a real difference:
- Switch to a sensitive toothpaste. Use it every day for at least 4–6 weeks before you judge whether it is helping.
- Use a soft toothbrush. Brush with gentle circles, not a scrubbing action.
- Wait 30–60 minutes after acidic food or drinks before you brush. Brushing straight after can make erosion worse.
- Cut down on acidic and sugary drinks. When you have them, use a straw so less of the drink touches your teeth.
- Do not brush straight after being sick. Rinse with water or fluoride mouthwash first. Then wait before brushing.
When to see your dental team
Book an appointment if:
- Sensitivity is bad or getting worse
- One tooth is still sensitive after 4–6 weeks of using sensitive toothpaste
- You have a constant toothache rather than a short, sharp pain
- You notice swelling, a cracked tooth, or changes to the gum around a sensitive tooth
It is important to find the cause, not just hide the symptom. Your dental team will check the area. They will take X-rays if needed.
This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. Your dental team will discuss your individual circumstances and any risks and treatment specific to you. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances.
Sources
- Sensitive teeth. Oral Health Foundation.
- Clinical guidelines for dental erosion. Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2021.
Links checked 18 October 2026.
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