The Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity happens when the nerves inside your teeth become irritated. Normally, teeth are protected by a hard outer layer called enamel. Beneath the enamel is dentin, and at the core is the pulp, containing connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. When enamel thins or is breached, exposing the dentin, the nerve loses protection. Tooth sensitivity is often caused by habits or conditions that erode or damage enamel.
How Tooth Enamel Can Become Damaged
- Drinking or eating acidic foods and beverages—especially before bed
- Skipping routine dental care, including flossing
- Brushing aggressively or using a hard toothbrush
- Using professional dental tools at home improperly
- Health issues like bulimia or acid reflux that expose teeth to stomach acid
- Untreated gum disease and gum recession
- Damaged, cracked, or chipped teeth
- Untreated dental cavities
- Use of tobacco, cannabis, or vaping products
- Grinding or clenching your teeth
- Overuse of some teeth whitening products
What Can You Do About Sensitive Teeth?
The first and most important step after experiencing dental pain or discomfort is to see a Dentist in Toronto, ON. We can rule out other causes of your tooth pain and recommend treatments for any damage or decay found. With a proper diagnosis, you can confidently move forward with the right treatment.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
During your exam, you’ll describe your sensitivity and how often it occurs. You may need new X-rays, and your dentist will carefully examine your teeth and gums. Additional tests like a tap or cold test might help confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment in the Office
Damaged or decayed teeth can be treated with restorative options ranging from fillings to crowns. For worn enamel, home care may help, but effective in-office treatments are also available. We’ll discuss all options with you, and you’ll decide the best path forward.
Personalized Advice
Since tooth sensitivity has many causes, your dentist will tailor advice specifically for you after your exam. We’ll provide tips and tricks to strengthen your enamel at home and prevent future decay.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently twice a day with desensitizing toothpaste, focusing along the gumline. Floss daily and rinse with fluoride mouthwash. Avoid acidic and sweet foods and drinks like coffee, soda, wine, and fruit juice, especially before bed. If you clench or grind your teeth, try mindfulness or relaxation techniques to reduce jaw tension. Ultimately, seeing a dentist is essential to address the root cause.
Improved dental hygiene can sometimes halt tooth sensitivity. When enamel remains clean enough to prevent further erosion, it can even remineralize with fluoride treatment. However, dental pain signals a problem needing investigation. If enamel is severely damaged, exposing dentin, infection or abscess risk increases.
Indirectly, yes. Stress can lead to neglecting oral care, indulging in sugary or acidic foods, smoking, or grinding/clenching teeth—sometimes unknowingly during sleep.
Acids wear down enamel; sweet and starchy foods feed bacteria that produce acids damaging enamel. Hard foods can also cause wear or damage. Common culprits include:
- Acidic foods: coffee, wine, fruit juices (especially citrus), soda, tomatoes, pickles, vinegar
- Sweet foods: chocolate, jams, caramel, candies, ice cream, sugary drinks
- Starches: donuts, cake, bread, potato chips, crackers, cookies
- Hard foods: ice, hard candies, popcorn kernels, cherries, olives
You don’t need to avoid all these foods but should enjoy them in moderation and clean your teeth regularly.
Choose low-acid, low-sugar drinks and snacks. High-fiber foods and dairy are excellent as they promote saliva, which protects teeth. Aim for a nutritious, balanced diet rich in protein and calcium. Examples include:
- Drinks: water, green tea, black tea
- Snacks: raisins, nuts, celery sticks, carrot sticks, apple slices, cheese
- Meals: stir-fries, salads, wraps, meat and potatoes with vegetables
- Desserts: yogurt, ricotta with berries, applesauce
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