Sensitivity can have different causes; the treatment depends on the finding.
Sensitivity is a symptom
Cold or hot food and drink may cause discomfort when teeth are sensitive. Possible causes include decay, a cracked tooth, a worn filling, gum disease, worn enamel or an exposed root. The trigger alone cannot tell you which of these is responsible.
Protection can change
Dentine sits beneath the protective outer tissues of the tooth. When that protection is reduced, or the gum recedes and exposes the root, stimuli can reach sensitive structures more readily. A dentist needs to assess the tooth before deciding whether this explains your discomfort.
Match the response to the cause
Management may involve a desensitising toothpaste or treatment of an identified dental problem. More complex options are sometimes considered, but they are not automatically needed for sensitivity. At your visit, explain which tooth reacts, what triggers it and whether the discomfort persists after the trigger stops.
Read the sources
General educational information. It is not a diagnosis or a personalised treatment plan. No clinician approval is claimed.
ADA MouthHealthy: Sensitive teethPrepared 2026-09-20 · Sources accessed 2026-09-20
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