How are sensitive teeth diagnosed?

If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity for the first time, make an appointment with your dentist. You can book an appointment with a dentist in your area using our Healthline FindCare tool. They can look at the health of your teeth and check for potential problems like cavities, loose fillings, or recessed gums that could be causing the sensitivity.

Your dentist can do this during your routine dental cleaning. They’ll clean your teeth and do a visual exam. They may touch your teeth using dental instruments to check for sensitivity, and they might also order an X-ray on your teeth to rule out causes like cavities.

How is tooth sensitivity treated?

If your tooth sensitivity is mild, you can try over-the-counter dental treatments.

Choose toothpaste that’s labeled as being specifically made for sensitive teeth. These toothpastes won’t have any irritating ingredients, and may have desensitizing ingredients that help block the discomfort from traveling to the nerve of the tooth.

When it comes to mouthwash, choose an alcohol-free mouth rinse, as it will be less irritating to sensitive teeth.

Using softer toothbrushes and brushing more gently can also help. Soft toothbrushes will be labeled as such.

It typically takes several applications for these remedies to work. You should see an improvement within a week.

If home treatments don’t work, you can talk to your dentist about prescription toothpaste and mouthwash. They may also apply fluoride gel or prescription-grade desensitizing agents in-office. These can help to strengthen the enamel and protect your teeth.

Treating medical conditions that cause tooth sensitivity

If underlying conditions are causing your tooth sensitivity, you’ll want to treat it before it causes the enamel to wear down and damage the teeth.

GERD can be treated with acid reducers, and bulimia should be treated under a supervising psychiatrist.

Receding gums can be treated by brushing more gently and maintaining good oral hygiene. In cases of intense sensitivity and discomfort due to severe gum recession, your dentist may recommend using a gum graft. This procedure involves taking tissue from the palate and placing it over the root to protect the tooth.

You can train yourself to stop clenching or grinding your teeth by being mindful not to do so during the day. Reducing stress and caffeine before bed can also help prevent you from grinding your teeth at night. If this doesn’t work, you can use a mouthguard at night to prevent the grinding from damaging your teeth.

What’s the outlook for tooth sensitivity?

If your tooth sensitivity is making it difficult to eat, talk to your dentist about finding a solution. There are many toothpastes and mouthwashes designed for sensitive teeth available over the counter.

If these aren’t effective, talk to your dentist about prescription toothpaste and mouthwash. You should also make an appointment with your dentist if you experience symptoms of cavities or potential root damage so you can get treatment quickly and prevent complications. These symptoms may include:

spontaneous

tooth pain that occurs without an obvious cause

tooth

sensitivity localized to one tooth

sharper

pain instead of milder pain

staining

on the surface of your teeth

pain

when biting down or chewing.

Overview

You might enjoy a nice cold drink or ice cream on a hot summer day. But if your teeth are sensitive to coldness, coming in contact with these foods and beverages can be a painful experience.

Teeth sensitivity to cold isn’t uncommon. In fact, about 40 million adults in the United States experience some type of tooth sensitivity. Understanding potential causes of sensitive teeth is key to alleviating pain. If left untreated, sensitivity can worsen and progress to the point where you avoid certain foods and drinks.