Human teeth can withstand varied food temperatures without any discomfort or pain. But when they experience a sharp sensation or pain or any form of altered feeling to food of different temperatures, they are said to be sensitive

Causes

Gum recession — the gum line changes position, exposing the root of a tooth. Some of the common causes of gum recession are stone or calculus deposits in the gums and other periodontal diseases; aggressive and faulty methods of brushing; chewing of paan, tobacco, gutka and betel nut.

Frequent consumption of carbonated beverages and acidic food erode the enamel of teeth, leading to exposure of dentinal tubules.

Harmful oral habits such as grinding of teeth during sleep (Bruxism), biting and chewing of nails, and opening bottle corks with teeth can chip the enamel, leading to exposure of dentinal tubules.

Sometimes, hairline fracture in the enamel because of an external impact can also cause sensitive teeth.

Symptoms

Gum recession — A tooth looks longer when the gun line moves away from it. The gum line will move up in upper teeth and down in the lower teeth. The teeth may have rough because of chemical erosion and lack natural shine.

The cutting surface (incisor teeth) and grinding surface (molar teeth) will have broken margins, irregular shallow pits or cut like lines on the enamel surface.

Precautions

Avoid brushing aggressively with a hard bristled toothbrush. This causes the gum to move back and aggravates the problem of sensitive tooth.

Avoid frequent consumption of carbonated and acidic foods, which causes dental erosion. Avoid chewing paan, betel nut and tobacco, which cause gum recession.

Treatment

Treatment of sensitive teeth involves restoring the gum margin to its original position. By removing the calculus or tartar from the gums through professional techniques (curettage, scaling) gum recession can be treated in a gradual progressive manner. The broken tooth surface margins and abraded tooth are restored with permanent restorative material so that the exposed tubules are sealed and sensitivity minimised. A proper brushing technique is generally demonstrated to patients, so that the gum is not affected during brushing. A de-sensitising toothpaste along with a de-sensitising mouth rinse is prescribed.