The most important points at a glance
- Sensitive teeth usually develop when the enamel is weakened or the gums recede, exposing the tiny channels in the dentin.
- Common triggers include brushing too hard, acidic food and drink, teeth grinding and gum inflammation.
- In everyday life, a gentle brushing technique, a soft toothbrush, fluoride and a toothpaste for sensitive teeth can often help.
- If the discomfort persists or gets worse, you should have the cause examined by a dentist, as it can also be tooth decay.
A sudden pain when drinking cold water, a twinge when eating something sweet or an unpleasant feeling when brushing your teeth: sensitive teeth are a noticeable problem for many people in everyday life. We hear about these complaints frequently in our dental practice in Ingolstadt.
The good news: in most cases, sensitive teeth can be treated well once the cause is known. In this article, you will learn why teeth become sensitive, which causes may be behind it and which measures often help.
Why do teeth become sensitive?
Sensitive teeth generally develop when the protective tooth material is weakened or has receded. This exposes the sensitive areas inside the tooth.
The tooth consists of several layers. The enamel protects the outside, with the dentin beneath it. The dentin contains tiny channels that lead directly to the tooth nerve. When these channels are exposed, they can react to external stimuli such as cold, heat or sweet foods, causing the typical brief pain.
You can think of the enamel as a resilient protective coat. As long as it is intact, the stimuli stay out. If this coat becomes thinner or the gums at the neck of the tooth expose part of the root, cold or sweet foods reach the nerve fibres unimpeded. This is exactly what explains why the pain is so brief and so sudden.
The most common causes of sensitive teeth
Exposed tooth necks
When the gums recede, sensitive areas at the neck of the tooth become exposed. This is one of the most common causes. At the neck of the tooth, the protective enamel is naturally very thin, so the channels beneath it react particularly easily to stimuli here.
Incorrect brushing
Scrubbing too hard or using hard toothbrushes can wear down the enamel over time.
Acidic diet
Acids from food and drink attack the enamel and can make it more vulnerable. Frequent sources are citrus fruits, juices, soft drinks and wine. Especially when small amounts are consumed repeatedly throughout the day, the enamel has little time to recover.
Teeth grinding
Severe, prolonged pressure on the teeth can put lasting strain on the enamel.
Gum inflammation
Inflamed gums can recede and thereby expose sensitive areas.
Tooth decay or defects
Tooth diseases such as decay or defects in the tooth can also trigger sensitivity.
Typical symptoms
Sensitive teeth often make themselves felt through brief, clearly noticeable reactions:
- pain with cold drinks
- sensitivity to sweet foods
- twinges when brushing your teeth
- brief, sharp pains
These symptoms often occur suddenly and usually disappear quickly again. This tempts many people to ignore them at first.
A brief pain is no reason to panic, but a signal that should be taken seriously, before the sensitivity turns into a bigger problem.
What really helps against sensitive teeth?
Special toothpaste
Toothpastes for sensitive teeth can help seal the exposed nerve channels and thereby reduce the transmission of stimuli.
The right brushing technique
Gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush protects the enamel and the gums. What matters is less the pressure than the care: small, circular motions or movements guided from the gum towards the tooth clean thoroughly without straining the sensitive tooth necks. Anyone who scrubs back and forth vigorously tends to wear away substance over time rather than getting their teeth cleaner.
Practice tip: wait a while after acidic food
After acidic food or drinks such as fruit, juice or wine, the enamel is temporarily softer. Rinse your mouth with water and wait about half an hour before brushing your teeth so the enamel can harden again. That way you do not brush away substance unnecessarily.
Fluoride
Fluoride can strengthen the enamel and help reduce sensitivity.
Professional treatment
In our dental practice in Ingolstadt, we offer targeted measures to protect exposed and sensitive areas. Which treatment is advisable depends on the individual cause. You can read more about this on our page about tooth preservation.
What you should avoid as far as possible
Some habits can increase the sensitivity:
- brushing your teeth too hard
- hard toothbrushes
- frequent exposure to acid
- neglecting dental care
When should you see a dentist?
If the discomfort lasts longer or gets worse, an examination by a dentist in Ingolstadt is advisable. This is because there may be a cause requiring treatment behind sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth are often a signal worth investigating.
How we can help you in Ingolstadt
In our dental practice, we first look at the possible cause of your discomfort and discuss an individual treatment with you. The aim is to reduce your discomfort and protect your teeth.
Conclusion: sensitive teeth can usually be treated
Sensitive teeth can noticeably impair everyday life, but they do not have to. With the right care and treatment tailored to the cause, the discomfort can often be reduced significantly. If you suffer from sensitive teeth, we recommend a personal consultation at your dental practice in Ingolstadt.