Why Are My Teeth So Sensitive? Causes and Fixes From a Southwest Las Vegas Dentist
Published
Teeth usually turn sensitive because the softer layer under the enamel, called dentin, has lost its cover. Worn enamel, gums pulling back, a cavity, a crack or a worn filling can all expose it, and mild cases often settle with a desensitizing toothpaste. Pain that’s sharp, or that doesn’t go away, needs a dentist to find the cause, and at Desert Hills Dental in Southwest Las Vegas that starts with a checkup.
Key Takeaways
- Sensitivity happens when dentin is exposed, because its tiny tubes let heat, cold, sweet and sour reach the nerve inside the tooth.
- The American Dental Association lists cavities, cracked teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn enamel and exposed roots as possible causes.
- Desensitizing toothpaste usually takes several applications before the sensitivity eases.
- Fillings, cleanings and other dental work can cause short-term sensitivity, which sometimes goes away on its own.
- The ADA says a dentist may recommend a root canal when sensitivity is severe, persistent and can’t be treated any other way.
Why do teeth get sensitive in the first place?
Because dentin is exposed. The ADA’s MouthHealthy page on sensitive teeth explains that enamel covers the crown of the tooth and cementum covers the root. Dentin sits under both, and it’s full of microscopic tubes. Once the cover wears away, heat, cold and acidic or sticky foods can travel down those tubes to the nerve.
Cleveland Clinic’s guide to sensitive teeth adds the everyday causes: acidic foods like citrus, tomatoes and pickles, brushing too hard, grinding, plaque near the roots, some mouthwashes and some whitening products. In a Las Vegas summer, ice water is hard to avoid, and cold is one of the triggers both sources name.
| Cause | What’s happening | What a dentist may suggest |
|---|---|---|
| Worn enamel | Acid, hard brushing or grinding thins the outer layer | Fluoride varnish or desensitizing toothpaste |
| Gum recession | Gums pull back and leave the root uncovered | Bonding over the root, or a gum graft |
| Cavity | Decay opens a path toward the nerve | Bonding, an inlay or a crown |
| Cracked tooth | A crack lets bacteria in and irritates the tooth | Bonding, an inlay or a crown |
| Recent dental work | A filling or cleaning leaves the tooth tender | A check if it doesn’t settle |
| Whitening products | Some products raise sensitivity | A gentler option your dentist recommends |
Can you fix sensitive teeth at home?
Mild sensitivity often improves with home care. The ADA says desensitizing toothpaste contains compounds that help block the signal from the tooth surface to the nerve, and it usually takes several applications to work, so give it time before you judge it.
Cleveland Clinic’s prevention list is a good routine to follow:
- Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently.
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste, and dab a little on the sore spot before bed.
- Use fluoride products to strengthen enamel.
- Cut back on acidic foods like citrus and pickles.
- Wear a mouth guard if you grind your teeth. Our mouth guards page explains the options we offer.
- Keep your regular cleanings and checkups.
When should you see a dentist about sensitive teeth?
When the pain is sharp, when it doesn’t go away, or when hot, cold or sweet food keeps hurting. Cleveland Clinic says those are the signs of a possible bigger problem, and untreated sensitivity can end in cavities, gum disease, an infected tooth or worse pain.
A simple way to decide:
- If it’s mild and started after whitening or a cleaning, try a desensitizing toothpaste and watch it.
- If it hasn’t eased after several applications, book a checkup.
- If one tooth hurts sharply, or the pain lingers, book sooner rather than later.
- If the pain is severe, call us, because we keep time open for same-day appointments.
What happens at the visit in Southwest Las Vegas?
The first job is finding the cause, because the ADA says the right treatment depends on what’s causing the sensitivity. Book a checkup, and at the visit Desert Hills Dental can take digital X-rays and use an intraoral camera, which puts the tooth on a screen where even small cracks show up, so you see what we see.
A cavity or a worn filling usually means a repair, and our fillings and sealants page covers those. If gums have pulled back because of gum disease, the gums usually need attention too, and gum disease treatment covers that. A cracked tooth that needs a crown may be done in one visit with CEREC, when it suits the tooth.
Our office is on S Fort Apache Rd in Spring Valley, near Rhodes Ranch, and we see patients from across Southwest Las Vegas. We’re insurance friendly with most PPO plans, and patients without insurance can ask about the Complete Care Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my teeth suddenly sensitive to cold?
Cold reaches the nerve through exposed dentin. That can come from worn enamel, gums pulling back, a new cavity or a crack. If it started after whitening or a cleaning, it may fade. If it doesn’t, have a dentist check the tooth.
Does sensitive toothpaste actually work?
For many people, yes. The ADA says desensitizing toothpaste helps block the signal from the tooth surface to the nerve, but it usually takes several applications before you notice a difference.
Is tooth sensitivity after a filling normal?
It can be. Cleveland Clinic says fillings and other treatments can cause short-term sensitivity, and that sensitivity sometimes goes away on its own, especially after a dental visit. If it gets worse or doesn’t settle, call the office that did the work.
Can teeth whitening make my teeth sensitive?
Yes, some whitening products can increase sensitivity. Ask your dentist about a gentler option before you whiten again. Our teeth whitening page lists what we offer.
Do I need a root canal for a sensitive tooth?
Usually not. The ADA describes a root canal as the option when sensitivity is severe, persistent and can’t be treated any other way. Before that, the ADA lists desensitizing toothpaste, fluoride gel and repairs like bonding or a crown.
Sensitive teeth that won’t settle? Call Desert Hills Dental at (725) 307-5569 or request a visit through our contact page.
