You might not have heard of dentin hypersensitivity, but chances are, you might have experienced it before. An estimated 25 to 30% of adults have reported symptoms associated with dentin hypersensitivity, according to a report published by the National Library of Medicine.
Dentin hypersensitivity is the medical term used to describe having sensitive teeth, whether it’s your front teeth, molars, or emerging wisdom teeth. For some, sensitive teeth might be a nuance or a little more than occasional discomfort. For others, dentin hypersensitivity can cause sharp pain when it happens, and in extreme cases, it can lead to more complex dental issues.
So, what exactly is dentin hypersensitivity, and what does it mean if you suffer from it? Well, dentin hypersensitivity is the result of the exposed dentin in your teeth. The sensitivity you feel happens when the exposed dentin comes in contact with hot or cold food and drink, acidic food, and even pressure, like when you’re biting down.
You feel this discomfort or pain because there is nerve tissue in the dentin, and when this nerve tissue is irritated by touch or extreme temperatures, your brain processes that sensation as pain.
Dentin plays a critical role in the overall structure of your teeth. Because there’s nerve tissue in the dentin, your brain is able to tell how hard you should bite down on an object. This is to help prevent you from damaging your teeth if you unintentionally apply too much pressure.
If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, it’s important to check with your dental healthcare provider immediately. At URBN Dental, we are proud to be a leading provider of quality dental care in the Houston area. We cover all aspects of dental health, from tooth extractions to specialized dental care and emergency dental care. Get in touch to find a URBN Dental dentist near you.
There are a number of causes for dentin hypersensitivity or sensitive teeth. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common causes and how they can impact your overall oral health.
Enamel is a protective barrier on the surface of your teeth. This hard surface protects teeth from damage caused by bacteria and cavities. It’s made up of calcium, phosphorus, and a host of other materials that help to protect the structure and pulp of your tooth.
Unfortunately, over time, your enamel breaks down because of bacteria, dental plaque, and acidic food and drink. While you can help strengthen your enamel by brushing with fluoride toothpaste, there is no cure for enamel loss.
Once you start losing your enamel, your teeth become more sensitive to temperatures, pressure, and other dental health issues.
If you’ve had a recent dental procedure, you might experience sensitivity in your teeth, but it will usually fade as the area where you had dental work done heals. There are specific types of dental procedures, like scaling and bleaching, that can also cause tooth sensitivity. With these procedures, your enamel gets broken down a bit, allowing dentin to become exposed.
If you have a diet rich in sugar, acidic drinks, and carbonated drinks, you’re introducing more harmful bacteria into your mouth that will erode your enamel, causing your dentin to be exposed over time. Additionally, food and drinks high in sugar and acid can open the door to cavities, which can cause tooth erosion, resulting in teeth sensitivity.
Certain health conditions and health concerns, like bulimia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and even pregnancy, can contribute to an erosion of your enamel. While the condition itself is not the cause of the dental erosion, secondary symptoms of the disease are.
It’s simply not enough to just brush and floss your teeth twice a day; you need to make sure you are brushing and flossing correctly.
Using an abrasive toothbrush can contribute to tooth sensitivity. Additionally, not using the correct method of brushing your teeth, for example, not brushing for long enough or not reaching all areas of your mouth, can contribute to sensitive teeth.
It’s also important to use the right toothpaste. Abrasive toothpaste can cause sensitive teeth over time, whereas fluoride-rich toothpaste and toothpaste that’s designed to help restore the enamel can help minimize your sensitivity.
When you visit your dentist, an official dentin hypersensitive diagnosis can be made after your dentist uses what’s called a Dental Explorer or a burst of air to determine how different teeth respond to different stimuli, like pressure and cold. Along with a treatment plan, you’ll learn how to manage tooth pain associated with sensitive teeth.
There are a couple of symptoms and signs that you might be suffering from hypersensitivity. However, many of these signs and symptoms overlap with other dental health issues, so it’s important to check with your dental care provider for an official diagnosis.
Common symptoms of dentin hypersensitivity include a sharp, sudden pain when you:
There are different treatments available to help manage the pain associated with dentin hypersensitivity. Your dentist might suggest a combination of these treatments. However, if there are any underlying health issues, they might suggest additional specific treatments depending on your needs. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, reach out to your dentist for immediate care.
Some of the most common treatments for dentin hypersensitivity include:
This is one of the most effective ways to help strengthen the enamel in your teeth to combat teeth sensitivity. A fluoride treatment consists of an application of a highly concentrated fluoride gel. This gel is applied directly to your teeth and will stay on your teeth for a couple of hours before you can rinse it off.
Your dentist may recommend a specific type of toothpaste or may prescribe you a desensitizing toothpaste that’s high in potassium nitrate and strontium chloride. These ingredients can help to block the transmission of the pain sensation you feel during applied pressure or extreme temperatures.
This is a type of procedure that requires a composite material to be applied over the surface of your tooth. Not only will this help to create a barrier for your sensitive teeth, but it can also cosmetically enhance your overall smile.
In extreme cases where you have a tooth abscess that is causing your sensitivity, a root canal may be required to help you with tooth sensitivity. However, this is generally only done if you have an infected tooth or your sensitivity is caused by a cavity that has reached the pulp of your tooth.
During a root canal, your dentist will remove the pulp of your affected tooth, clean the chamber, and seal it. This will help alleviate the pain you’ve been feeling because of the sensitivity. A crown will be placed over the root canal to help protect the existing tooth.
Teeth sensitivity can also happen when people grind their teeth at night, causing damage that results in sensitivity. A dental nightguard will protect your teeth while you sleep, preventing your teeth from grinding against one another.
Dentin hypersensitivity does not go away on its own. However, with the right treatment, the sensitivity can be alleviated, helping reduce the pain you feel.
Dentin hypersensitivity feels like a sharp, sudden burst of pain. The pain generally comes on quickly and goes away just as fast.
Knowing what foods or drinks to avoid can help temporarily relieve your tooth discomfort. However, you should speak with your dentist to learn how to address the root cause of your tooth pain.
Some home remedies, like hot and cold packs and saltwater rinses, can temporarily relieve the pain you might feel with tooth sensitivity, but it is important to speak with your dentist about more permanent solutions.
Muinos, L., et al. (2024). The 9 Best Toothpastes to Reduce Sensitive Teeth.
Murphy, K. (2021). Grind Your Teeth? Your Night Guard May Not Be the Right Fix.
Splieth, C., et al. (2012). Epidemiology of dentin hypersensitivity.
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