Sensitive Teeth: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and More

• At least 40 million adults suffer from sensitive teeth in the United States, according to the Academy of General Dentistry.
• Overall, it is estimated to affect about 15% of the general population to some degree.
• When you have sensitive teeth, certain activities, such as brushing, eating and drinking, cause sharp, temporary pain in your teeth.
• A 2018 study in Operative Dentistry found that patients taking acetomeniphin/codeine before treatment did not reduce pain, so more dramatic measures are likely needed.

Tooth sensitivity occurs when the layer of a tooth underneath the enamel (called the dentin) or the layer covering the root (called cementum) is exposed along the gum-line due to receding gums.

The nerve endings connect to the main nerve or the pulp of the tooth. The exposed areas respond to hot and cold, and sometimes too sweet and spicy foods, and trigger a jolting pain or worsen an already-existing problem.

The discomfort maybe caused by other factors, such as cavity, cracked or chipped tooth, worn filling, or gum disease. It may be temporary or a chronic problem, affecting one tooth, many teeth, or all the teeth.