What is it?
The dentine beneath the enamel is made of microscopic tubules that run to the nerve. When enamel thins or root surface is exposed, those tubules open to the outside; cold, heat, sweet and acid move fluid inside them and stimulate the nerve.
Its hallmark is that the pain is brief; it fades within seconds once the trigger is removed. If pain lasts minutes, starts spontaneously or wakes you at night, this is no longer simple sensitivity; decay or nerve inflammation must be considered.
Signs
You will not necessarily have all of these at once.
Why does it happen?
- 01
Gum recession
Exposed root has no protective enamel, the most frequent cause by far.
- 02
Acid erosion
Acidic drinks, citrus and reflux chemically thin the enamel.
- 03
Grinding
Excess force wears the enamel and notches the necks of the teeth.
- 04
Temporary post-treatment sensitivity
Can follow whitening, a filling or a scaling for a few days; it is not permanent.
How is it treated?
The first step is at home: desensitising toothpaste with potassium nitrate blocks the tubules and gives most people clear relief in two to four weeks. Rubbing a little onto the sensitive area with a finger and leaving it without rinsing improves the effect.
If it persists, fluoride varnish, resin sealing agents or covering the exposed root with composite are applied in clinic. Where grinding is the underlying cause, no solution lasts without a night guard.
How is it prevented?
- Wait 30 minutes to brush after something acidic; softened enamel wears more easily
- Drink acidic beverages through a straw and don't hold them in your mouth
- Soft brush and light pressure; hard brushing increases sensitivity, it doesn't reduce it
Frequently asked questions
- Will sensitivity go away on its own?
- Temporary sensitivity after a procedure settles within days. Chronic sensitivity caused by recession or wear persists until the cause is addressed.
- Does whitening make sensitivity permanent?
- No. Post-whitening sensitivity typically lasts 24–48 hours and does not permanently weaken the enamel.
This content is for general information and does not replace an in-person examination. Symptoms overlap between conditions, and a diagnosis can only be made clinically.