There’s that instant pain you feel when something cold comes in contact with your teeth. Whether it be coffee or ice cream or just outside air during the winter your teeth can be very sensitive. Many remedies can be done at home to relieve the pain from sensitive teeth and if home remedies don’t work your dentist can remedy the issue.
Here are some reasons why your teeth may be sensitive and 10 ways to relieve your pain. How long will it take? And when should you see your dentist? Read on to find out more.
What Gives the Fastest Relief?
Cleveland Clinic says mild tooth sensitivity often gets better with desensitizing toothpaste and good dental care. Here is the short version:
- Switch to a desensitizing toothpaste and use it twice a day
- Brush gently with a soft-bristled brush
- Cut back on acidic foods and drinks
- See a dentist if the pain is sharp or does not go away
Next, let’s look at why your teeth hurt in the first place.
Why Do Teeth Get Sensitive?
According to Cleveland Clinic tooth sensitivity or dentin hypersensitivity occurs when your teeth become worn and expose the dentin. The dentin is under your enamel and it is a softer material. There are small tubes that run through the dentin to your tooth nerve. When hot or cold things and sugar reach those tubes you feel pain. This can also occur if your gums recede from your teeth exposing your roots.
Cleveland Clinic lists these common causes:
- Acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus, tomatoes, pickles, and tea
- Brushing too hard or using a hard toothbrush
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Gum disease and gum recession
- Plaque buildup near the roots
- Mouthwashes that contain acids
- Recent dental work, such as fillings or cleanings, which can cause short-term sensitivity
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Some teeth whitening products
Sometimes sensitivity points to a bigger problem, such as a cavity, gum disease, or a cracked tooth. That is why the cause matters as much as the pain.
Relief from Sensitive Teeth Pain: 10 Steps to Try at Home
Work through these in order. Most come straight from Cleveland Clinic guidance.
- Switch to desensitizing toothpaste: Cleveland Clinic recommends it to reduce pain, and says you can dab a little on the sore spot before bed. Many of these pastes contain potassium nitrate. A Colgate education page citing the Journal of the American Dental Association says potassium nitrate is generally well tolerated. Give the toothpaste time to work. One sensitivity toothpaste in the ADA Seal program lists relief in as little as two weeks.
- Brush with a soft brush and light pressure: Cleveland Clinic says too much pressure or a hard toothbrush can wear down enamel and push gums back. A dental journal article in Dentistry.co.uk suggests an electric toothbrush, no scrubbing motion, and never a hard brush. Let the bristles do the work.
- Brush and floss gently every day: Plaque near the roots can trigger pain, according to Cleveland Clinic, so daily cleaning matters. Be gentle. Rough flossing can irritate gums that already feel raw.
- Add fluoride: Cleveland Clinic says fluoride products strengthen teeth. Use fluoride toothpaste, and ask your dentist whether a fluoride rinse or varnish makes sense for you.
- Ask about a desensitizing mouthwash: A 2012 study in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry tested both a potassium nitrate toothpaste and a potassium nitrate mouthwash in 30 patients with sensitive teeth. Colgate says rinses can be used alongside sensitivity toothpaste or on their own. Be careful, though. Cleveland Clinic warns that some mouthwashes contain acids that make sensitivity worse, so ask your dentist for a gentler formula.
- Limit acidic foods and drinks: Cleveland Clinic names citrus, tomatoes, pickles, and tea as foods that can wear down tooth surfaces. A Dorset County Hospital NHS leaflet says to wait at least 20 minutes after a fizzy drink before you brush, because acid softens the tooth surface. If you get frequent heartburn, tell your dentist. A Colgate page citing the Academy of General Dentistry says stomach acid reaching the mouth can erode enamel.
- Protect your teeth from grinding: Dentist Clinicin Salem says clenching or grinding wears down enamel and can expose dentin. If you grind, it recommends a mouth guard. Ask your dentist to check for wear.
- Pause teeth whitening: Dentist Clinic says some whitening products increase sensitivity, and it suggests asking your dentist about safer options. Wait until your teeth calm down.
- Ease your triggers for now: Clinic says hot, cold, sweet, and sour foods can all set off the pain. Let hot drinks cool and sip cold ones gently. The Dentistry.co.uk article notes that cold air can also trigger sensitivity, so in cold weather try breathing through your nose. That last tip is practical, not clinical.
- Keep your dental check-ups: Clinic lists regular cleanings and check-ups as part of preventing sensitivity. A dentist can spot cracks, cavities, and gum recession before they get worse.
How Long Until Sensitive Teeth Feel Better?
According to Cleveland Clinic your sensitivity may resolve itself if it occurred after visiting your dentist. You could have gotten a filling, had a cleaning or another procedure that may have left you with temporary sensitivity. For long term sensitivity just be patient. Above we mentioned a sensitivity toothpaste that the ADA recognizes. It states that you will see results in as quick as 2 weeks. They also recommend discontinuing the product if your sensitivity continues or increases. They go on to state that you may need to seek immediate attention if your sensitivity lasts more than 4 weeks.
Give yourself 4 weeks if it hasn’t resolved after that it’s time to make an appointment.
What Does Not Help
A few habits make sensitivity worse:
- Scrubbing harder. Hard brushing wears enamel and can make gums recede, according to Cleveland Clinic.
- Using an acidic mouthwash. Cleveland Clinic says some contain acids that worsen sensitivity.
- Whitening through the pain. Some whitening products increase sensitivity.
- Ignoring it. Cleveland Clinic warns that untreated sensitivity can lead to an infected tooth, cavities, gum disease, and long-term or worsening pain.
When to See a Dentist
Cleveland Clinic says to make an appointment if your teeth hurt when you eat or drink something cold, hot, or sweet. Go sooner if:
- The pain is sharp or does not go away
- Sensitivity keeps getting worse. Benco Dental’s blog, quoting dentist Michael Sinkin, says worsening cold sensitivity calls for a dental visit.
- Only one tooth hurts. A Colgate page citing the Academy of General Dentistry says to see your dentist right away whether one tooth or several are sensitive, because early diagnosis can stop small problems from growing. It adds that an abscessed tooth needs root canal treatment to be saved.
- You see a chip, a crack, or swollen, bleeding gums
- Four weeks of desensitizing toothpaste has not helped
A dentist can find the cause. Do not wait for the pain to become constant.
Professional Treatments for Sensitive Teeth
Cleveland Clinic lists three common treatments:
- Dental bonding covers exposed roots
- Dentin sealant blocks pain signals
- Fluoride varnish strengthens enamel and reduces discomfort
If there’s other causes then they will have to be dealt with separately. Cavity will require a filling etc. If it’s gum disease then you’ll need to get cleaned or possibly have surgery done. The tooth is cracked then needs fixed. There was also a study that was mentioned on Cleveland Clinics page about lasers. Check with your dentist if this would work for you.
Rudra Dental Smilelature a dental practice in Salem has listed checkups and root canals if there’s an infection. And if it’s gum disease then flap surgery may be necessary. Cleveland Clinic stated that gum disease can cause your roots to show. So just ask your dentist what would be best for your situation. There are many situations where all you need is good oral hygiene and sensitive toothpaste.
Something to keep in mind for families is that they also offer children’s dental and elderly dental. Which includes gum disease.
Next Steps
Starting tonight. Use a desensitizing tooth paste, use a soft brush and reduce acid intake. No whitening for now. Allow 2 weeks if it doesn’t improve then give it 4 weeks.
See an exam if symptoms persist or increase. We here at Rudra Dental Smilelature can examine your teeth and gums. Any licensed dentist will be able to help you as well. There is almost always a solution for sensitive teeth.
You just need to find out what’s causing it.
FAQs
What gives the fastest relief for sensitive teeth?
Desensitizing toothpaste is the usual first step. Cleveland Clinic says it can reduce pain, and you can dab a little on the sore spot before bed. Pair it with gentle brushing and fewer acidic foods.
Is sensitive teeth pain permanent?
Not usually. Cleveland Clinic says sensitivity sometimes goes away on its own, and it says there is almost always a solution. Finding and treating the cause, such as worn enamel or gum recession, gives the best chance of lasting relief.
Can I use desensitizing toothpaste every day?
Yes. One ADA-accepted label says adults and children 12 and older can brush at least twice a day and not more than three times. Ask a dentist before giving it to children under 12. Spit it out after brushing.
Why are my teeth sensitive to cold?
Cold reaches the nerve through tiny tubes in exposed dentin. Cleveland Clinic says this happens when enamel wears down or gums pull back. Cavities, cracks, and gum disease can also cause it, so a dental exam helps.
Can sensitive teeth mean a cavity?
Yes. Cleveland Clinic says sensitivity can point to cavities, gum disease, or a cracked tooth. Benco’s source calls decay one of the most common reasons for cold sensitivity. If one tooth reacts strongly, see your dentist.