A sharp jolt when you drink cold water. A wince when you eat ice cream. A sting when cold air hits your teeth on a winter morning walk through New Farm or along the river at Breakfast Creek. Tooth sensitivity is common, affecting a significant proportion of adults at some point. Most of the time, it is manageable. Sometimes, it signals something that needs professional attention.
Here is what causes it, what you can do about it at home, and when to see your dentist.
What causes tooth sensitivity
Sensitivity occurs when the dentine layer of your tooth becomes exposed. Dentine sits beneath the enamel (on the crown) and beneath the cementum (on the root). It contains thousands of microscopic tubules that lead to the nerve inside the tooth. When dentine is exposed, stimuli such as cold, heat, sweetness, or touch can reach the nerve and cause a sharp, short-lived pain.
The most common reasons dentine becomes exposed:
Enamel wear
Enamel is the hard outer layer that protects the crown of your tooth. It can wear down gradually from:
- Acidic foods and drinks. Citrus, soft drinks, wine, sports drinks, and kombucha are common culprits in Brisbane. The acid softens enamel, and brushing immediately after consuming acidic items can accelerate the wear.
- Abrasive brushing. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush or brushing with excessive force wears enamel over time, particularly along the gum line.
- Erosion from gastric acid. Reflux (GORD) and eating disorders involving vomiting expose teeth to stomach acid, which is highly erosive.
Gum recession
When gum tissue recedes, the root surface of the tooth becomes exposed. Root surfaces are covered by cementum, which is softer than enamel and wears away more quickly, leaving dentine exposed. Gum recession may result from:
- Gum disease (periodontitis)
- Aggressive brushing technique
- Ageing
- Genetics
- Orthodontic treatment in some cases
Cracks, dental work, and decay
Teeth grinding and clenching
Bruxism places excessive force on teeth, which can wear enamel flat, cause microcracks, and contribute to gum recession. Many people grind their teeth at night without realising it. If you wake with jaw stiffness, headaches, or your partner hears grinding, this may be a factor. Our grinding and bruxism guide covers this in detail.
Cracked or chipped teeth
A crack in a tooth can expose dentine directly and may cause sensitivity that is difficult to pinpoint. Cracks do not always show on X-rays, and the sensitivity may be intermittent, occurring only when biting at a certain angle.
Recent dental work
Sensitivity after a filling, crown, or whitening treatment is common and usually temporary. It typically settles within a few days to a few weeks. If it persists beyond a month, let your dentist know.
Decay
Active tooth decay can cause sensitivity, particularly to sweet foods and cold. If sensitivity is localised to one tooth and worsening, decay is one of the first things your dentist will investigate.
What you can do at home
For mild, generalised sensitivity, home management can make a meaningful difference.
Switch to a desensitising toothpaste. Products containing potassium nitrate (such as Sensodyne or Colgate Sensitive) work by gradually blocking the nerve pathways in exposed dentine. Use it as your regular toothpaste twice daily. It typically takes one to two weeks to notice improvement.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Medium and hard bristles cause more enamel abrasion and gum recession. There is no clinical advantage to a firmer brush.
Brush gently. Let the bristles do the work. Two minutes of gentle circular motions is more effective than 30 seconds of vigorous scrubbing. Electric toothbrushes with pressure sensors can help if you tend to push too hard.
Avoid brushing immediately after acidic food or drink. Wait at least 30 minutes. Rinse with plain water in the meantime to neutralise the acid.
Reduce acid exposure. Limit soft drinks, citrus juices, and sports drinks. Use a straw for acidic beverages to minimise contact with teeth. Rinse with water after consuming acidic foods.
Avoid extreme temperature changes. If cold triggers sensitivity, try room-temperature water instead of iced drinks while you manage the underlying cause.
Book a sensitivity assessment →
Professional treatments
If home care is not enough, or if the sensitivity is localised or worsening, your dentist can offer several targeted treatments.
Fluoride varnish or gel. Applied in the chair, concentrated fluoride strengthens enamel and reduces dentine sensitivity. This may be repeated at each visit for ongoing management.
Desensitising agents. Products containing calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, or glutaraldehyde can be applied to exposed dentine to occlude (block) the tubules and reduce nerve stimulation.
Bonding or sealant on exposed roots. If gum recession has exposed root surfaces, your dentist can apply a tooth-coloured composite resin to cover the exposed dentine. This provides a physical barrier against stimuli.
Night guard or occlusal splint. If grinding is contributing to enamel wear and sensitivity, a custom-fitted splint worn at night protects your teeth from further damage. See our guide on night guards vs splints for more information.
Gum graft surgery. In cases of significant gum recession, a periodontist can graft tissue to cover exposed root surfaces. This is a more involved procedure and is typically considered when recession is severe or progressing.
Crown or veneer. If a tooth has lost significant enamel or has structural damage contributing to sensitivity, a crown or restoration may be the most effective long-term solution.
Root canal treatment. In rare cases where sensitivity is severe, persistent, and does not respond to other treatments, root canal therapy may be considered. This removes the nerve from the tooth entirely and is a last-resort option.
When sensitivity signals something bigger
Most sensitivity is manageable with the approaches above. But certain patterns warrant prompt dental assessment:
Sensitivity isolated to one tooth. This may indicate a crack, decay, or a failing restoration. Generalised sensitivity across many teeth is more commonly related to enamel wear or gum recession.
Lingering pain. Normal sensitivity is a sharp, short-lived response that fades within seconds of removing the stimulus. If the pain lingers for 30 seconds or more after you stop drinking something cold, that may indicate nerve inflammation (pulpitis) that requires treatment.
Spontaneous pain. Pain that occurs without a trigger (no cold, no heat, no biting) suggests a more advanced problem, potentially irreversible nerve damage or infection. See your dentist promptly. You can book an emergency appointment online at any time; during opening hours, call for phone triage and booking help.
Pain when biting. Sensitivity to biting pressure, particularly on a specific tooth, may indicate a crack or a high restoration that needs adjustment.
Swelling or discolouration. Sensitivity accompanied by swelling, a pimple on the gum, or darkening of a tooth requires urgent assessment.
A note on whitening and sensitivity
Sensitivity during or after teeth whitening is the most common side effect of bleaching. The peroxide in whitening agents can temporarily dehydrate teeth and irritate the nerve.
To manage this:
- Use desensitising toothpaste for two weeks before starting whitening
- Follow your dentist's instructions on application time and concentration
- Space out whitening sessions if sensitivity develops
- Sensitivity from whitening is temporary and typically resolves within a week of stopping treatment
If you are considering whitening and have existing sensitivity, discuss this with your dentist beforehand. They can adjust the protocol to minimise discomfort.
Next steps
If your teeth have become sensitive, start with the home care steps. Switch to a desensitising toothpaste, check your brushing technique, and reduce acid exposure. If sensitivity persists beyond two weeks, is getting worse, or is isolated to one tooth, book an assessment.
At Ivy Dental, we assess sensitivity concerns at our Everton Park and Nundah locations in north Brisbane. An examination can help narrow the possible cause and inform treatment options, although further investigation or referral may sometimes be needed. Book online or call (07) 3266 7120.
