Conditions · Sensitivity
Sensitive teeth
Why teeth become sensitive — and how to settle them.
Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by exposed dentine. A short, sharp response to hot, cold or sweet is common — and there is a lot you can do at home before seeing a dentist.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
Teeth have three layers: enamel (the hard outer shell), dentine (the middle layer) and the pulp (the living centre with the nerve and blood supply). Dentine sits directly over the pulp and can be porous — when it is touched, the nerve senses the change and sends a pain signal. Normally the dentine is shielded by enamel or gum, but several things can wear those away and expose it:
- Tooth decay — cavities through the enamel into the dentine.
- Tooth wear and trauma — overzealous brushing, acid from diet or stomach, grinding, and knocks.
- Defective restorations — a lost, leaking or broken filling, crown, veneer or bridge.
- Gum recession — gums recede with age (sped up by heavy brushing), exposing root surfaces that have no enamel.
- After dental treatment — some sensitivity after a clean, a filling or whitening is normal, and usually settles in 2–3 weeks.
Treating sensitive teeth at home
Most ongoing sensitivity comes from gum recession and/or tooth wear. A good first step is to switch to an electric toothbrush, stop scrubbing, and use a good sensitive toothpaste.
Sensitive toothpaste
Not all sensitive toothpastes are equally effective. Colgate’s Sensitive Instant-Relief range and Sensodyne’s Repair and Protect range are among the best. They usually take a couple of weeks to work — if your sensitivity has gone after 2–3 weeks, keep using it; if it is no better after three weeks, see a dentist. Be careful buying online or in budget stores, where cheaper foreign versions may not meet UK guidelines.
Sensitive mouthwash
Some mouthwashes work faster than toothpaste — Listerine’s Sensitive mouthwash can help after about three days.
Treating sensitive teeth at the dentist
To treat sensitivity well you really need to find the cause, so book a check-up. If it’s decay, tooth wear, trauma, a crack, a problem with a restoration or gum disease, you may need treatment such as a new restoration, root canal or special cleaning, plus tailored brushing and diet advice. Sometimes the dentist can apply a desensitising varnish or paste directly to the exposed dentine.
Text and further advice adapted from dentalchoices.org.
Watch
See what’s behind sensitive teeth
A short film on the three layers of a tooth, why dentine gets exposed, and the simple home steps that help.
Common questions
Sensitivity — your questions answered
What causes tooth sensitivity?
Usually exposed dentine — from gum recession, tooth wear, decay, a broken filling, or after dental treatment.
Is sensitivity after a filling or clean normal?
Some is normal and usually settles within 2–3 weeks. If it’s severe or not improving after a couple of weeks, contact your dentist.
Which sensitive toothpaste is best?
Colgate Sensitive Instant-Relief and Sensodyne Repair and Protect are among the most effective; give them 2–3 weeks to work.
Is there anything faster than toothpaste?
Listerine Sensitive mouthwash can help after about three days, used at a separate time to brushing.
When should I see a dentist?
If sensitivity is severe, lingers, or hasn’t improved after three weeks of home care — the dentist can find and treat the cause.
Settle sensitive teeth
The right brush and toothpaste make a real difference — and a check-up finds the cause.