Pain from sensitive teeth usually comes and goes, if you have constant pain it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Teeth become sensitive when the softer part of the tooth (dentine) becomes exposed, eating or drinking foods and drinks that are hot, cold or sweet can trigger a short, sharp pain.

Typical treatment length

Treatment time will vary according to your individual needs

What’s the process?

Consultation

Your Clinician will ask you about your symptoms and look at your teeth find out what is causing the sensitivity, it may be necessary to take an X-ray to rule out any more serious underlying problem.

The most common causes of sensitivity are:

• Receding gums
• Gum disease
• Teeth grinding or a bad bite
• Cracked teeth or fillings
• Brushing too hard
• Eating/drinking acidic food/drink
• Tooth whitening

Treatment

Your Clinician will advise the best way to treat your sensitivity, the options can range from:

• Desensitising the teeth, this can be as simple as changing your toothpaste, to the treatment of the teeth with fluoride gels or varnishes
• Use of a moth guard at night to prevent grinding
• Replacement of a filling

Sensitivity may take some time to settle, and you can need several appointments.

Aftercare & Prevention

An effective oral hygiene routine that includes regular brushing (but not too hard!) and flossing will help with sensitivity. Using a sensitive toothpaste may help some people.