Sensitive teeth? Find the cause before choosing the fix.

Sensitivity may relate to exposed dentine, decay, a crack, a worn restoration or other changes. The duration and location of pain matter. A short response to cold is different from pain that lingers or starts without a trigger. Exposed root dentine, decay, a crack and a recent restoration can all cause sensitivity. The source matters because a desensitizing toothpaste will not repair a cavity or stabilize a cracked cusp.

New symptoms deserve assessment, especially when they are localised, worsening or accompanied by pain on biting. Tell us about recent dental work, whitening, an injury or a change in habits. We will look for the cause before recommending treatment. Note whether one tooth or many teeth are involved, what triggers the pain and whether it stops promptly or lingers. Recent whitening, a filling or a change in your bite also helps narrow the cause.

Depending on the diagnosis, options may include a desensitising toothpaste, fluoride treatment, changes to brushing or a restoration. A product for sensitive teeth will not repair a crack or treat every cause of toothache. A network meta-analysis supports several desensitizing toothpaste formulations, including some containing stannous fluoride or potassium combinations. Effects vary by formulation and pain trigger; use the product as directed and have persistent symptoms assessed.

Some sensitivity can follow treatment, but a high bite and a recovering pulp need different assessments. Contact us if the restored tooth touches first, hurts on chewing, or develops persistent, worsening or spontaneous pain. Pain that lingers after hot or cold also deserves a review rather than simply waiting several weeks.

Relief depends on the cause. Avoiding a known trigger may help temporarily, but significant or persistent pain needs a dental assessment. Do not place aspirin or household chemicals on the tooth or gum. A pharmacist or clinician can advise on suitable short-term pain relief.

Not necessarily. Root canal treatment is considered only for the appropriate diagnosis. Examination and tests help distinguish exposed-root sensitivity from problems involving the pulp, decay or structural damage. Brief sensitivity from exposed dentine is different from persistent pulpal inflammation or infection. Root canal treatment is considered for a diagnosis that warrants it, not for sensitivity alone.

Call promptly for swelling, significant pain or difficulty eating. Difficulty breathing or swallowing or rapidly spreading swelling requires emergency medical care. A disappearance of pain does not always mean the underlying problem has resolved. Call promptly for swelling, significant spontaneous pain, a broken tooth or symptoms that are worsening. Difficulty breathing or swallowing, or rapidly spreading swelling, needs emergency medical care.