Sensitive Teeth

Teeth are composed of an outer layer called enamel and an inner layer called dentine. The hard enamel protects the dentine, which is softer and more sensitive to external stimuli such as hot and cold and is more prone to wear.

The following dental issues can cause sensitive teeth:

• Worn tooth enamel from using a hard toothbrush or brushing aggressively with a hard grip.
• Tooth erosion due to highly acidic foods and beverages.
• Tooth decay, worn or leaky fillings, and broken teeth that expose the dentine.
• Gum recession, which exposes the root surface.
• Grinding your teeth at night.
• Post-dental treatment sensitivity, which is common but temporary, especially after procedures such as crowns, fillings, and tooth bleaching.

At Holistic Dental Brunswick, determining the cause of sensitive teeth is the first step. Treatment might be as simple as using a desensitising toothpaste (such as Sensodyne), or it could involve protecting exposed dentine or nerve endings with fillings or crowns. If your discomfort stems from gum recession exposing the root surfaces, we may suggest a gum graft to protect the root surface and support your tooth.

If the underlying issue isn’t identified and addressed, sensitivity is likely to worsen over time. Depending on the cause, ignoring the problem can lead to irreversible tooth damage, which may eventually result in tooth loss.