Symptoms & conditions
Sensitive teeth
The short answer
Sharp pain with cold water, air, or sweet food means exposed dentine. Five real causes — gum recession, acid erosion, cracks, grinding, or recent whitening. A sensitivity toothpaste helps mildly; the cause itself needs a dentist.
What's happening
The clinical picture
Your enamel covers dentine that has tiny tubes leading to the nerve. When enamel is thinned or gums recede and expose the root, those tubes open up and cold or sweet stimuli travel straight to the nerve. Sensitivity toothpaste works by blocking the tube openings, but only masks — doesn't fix why enamel or gums are failing. We look for: recession from hard brushing, acid erosion (from citrus, soft drinks, or reflux), cracks from grinding, or recent whitening that hasn't settled.
Warning signs
Contact us the same day if:
- Sharp pain on biting (suggests a crack)
- Sensitivity that lingers more than 30 seconds after cold
- Gum recession you can see in the mirror
- Visible enamel loss or yellowing at the tooth necks
- Morning jaw soreness (grinding)
What we do
Our approach
Quick exam identifies which of the five causes applies. Treatment matches: fluoride varnish for mild recession, composite bonding over exposed roots, a nightguard for grinders, a crown for cracked teeth. We don't sell a one-size fix — it's specific to the cause.
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