Sensitive teeth: why cold drinks hurt and what helps
Sensitivity or something more?
| Sensitivity (usually not serious) | See a dentist sooner |
|---|---|
| Sharp twinge that stops within seconds of the trigger | Pain that lingers for more than a few seconds after the cold or heat is gone |
| Several teeth, often near the gum line | One tooth, especially with pain on biting |
| Triggered by cold, sweet, air or brushing | Throbbing on its own or waking you at night |
For lingering or night-time pain, see toothache at night.
Common causes
- Gum recession exposing the root surface, which has no enamel. See receding gums.
- Brushing too hard or with a hard-bristled brush, wearing the tooth at the gum line.
- Acid erosion from frequent soft drinks, fruit juices, sports drinks, vinegar-based foods or acid reflux.
- Tooth grinding or clenching, which wears enamel and can crack teeth.
- Decay or a cracked tooth.
- After dental treatment: a new filling, scaling or whitening can cause sensitivity that usually settles over days to a few weeks.
What helps at home
- Use a desensitising toothpaste containing potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride or arginine, twice a day. It usually takes two to four weeks to work, and stops working if you stop using it.
- Brush gently with a soft brush, using small circular movements rather than hard scrubbing.
- Cut down acidic drinks, drink them with meals rather than sipping through the day, and wait about an hour before brushing after acidic food or drink.
- If you grind your teeth, ask your dentist about a night guard.
What a dentist can do
- Check for decay, cracks or a leaking filling that needs repair.
- Apply a fluoride varnish or desensitising agent to seal the exposed dentine.
- Bond a thin tooth-coloured filling over exposed root surfaces or worn areas.
- Make a night guard for grinding.
- Rarely, when a tooth stays severely sensitive and nothing else works, root canal treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Why have my teeth suddenly become sensitive?
Common reasons are recent gum recession, a change to harder brushing or a whitening toothpaste, more acidic food or drink, grinding, a new crack or decay, or recent dental treatment. If it is one tooth or the pain lingers, have it checked.
Is sensitivity after a filling normal?
Mild sensitivity to cold for a few days to a couple of weeks after a filling is common and usually settles. Pain on biting, or pain that gets worse rather than better, should be checked, as the filling may need adjusting.
Do sensitive toothpastes really work?
For dentine sensitivity, yes, for most people, if used twice daily for several weeks. They do not fix decay or cracks, so persistent pain in one tooth needs a dental check.
Can whitening make teeth sensitive?
Yes. Sensitivity during and shortly after whitening is common and usually temporary. Stop and ask your dentist if it is severe.
Questions about your teeth?
Book a check-up. You will hear what we find, the options and the fee before anything is done.