Shabina Akhtar explains: Sensitive teeth have been known to make life miserable for millions of people around the world. The pain and discomfort often make it impossible to enjoy one’s favourite hot or cold food. Usually, tooth sensitivity (dentin hypersensitivity) presents a temporary tooth discomfort or pain upon eating cold food, drinking cold liquids or breathing cold air.

“If only cold food is hurting, then it could be due to a cavity. But when hot food too starts to hurt, it means the cavity has done much deeper damage,” says Dr Udey Vir Gandhi, Consultant Prosthodontist, Apollo Clinic, Calcutta.

The problem begins when the gums recede thus exposing the underlying roots. This happens primarily due to faulty brushing techniques.

It is estimated that 50-90 per cent of people brush with too much pressure. Weeks, months and years of such brushing remove significant gum tissue.

Another factor is poor oral hygiene. This leads to plaque build-up around the teeth and gums. Over time, the plaque hardens into tartar. Bacteria in this tartar are responsible for gingivitis and other periodontal diseases that cause gum recession.

“The cavities can be treated by filling them up before much damage is done. But if neglected, it exposes the root pulp. The exposed pulps contain small pores or tubules, which directly lead to the tooth nerve. Pain, pressure and cold stimuli can travel down the tubules and trigger the tooth nerve causing the pain and discomfort.

“Normally, the gums cover the tooth root which help to prevent stimuli from reaching these pores,” explains Dr Gandhi.

The problem can be treated by following proper oral hygiene. The patient needs to brush his teeth in an up-and-down fashion and not in a left-and-right motion. But if the cavity is not treated early enough, the only way out is to opt for root canalling, he adds.

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Harpreet Singh, Jamshedpur