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Patient guide

Tooth Sensitivity: Why Your Teeth Twinge

A sudden twinge from ice-cold water or something sweet is one of the most common dental complaints — and often one of the most manageable.

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Sensitivity usually happens when the protective enamel wears or gums recede, exposing the dentine underneath, which has tiny channels leading to the nerve.

Possible causes to learn about

Tap a card to jump to details. Only a dentist can confirm the cause after an examination.

Tooth sensitivityA short, sharp twinge with cold, hot, sweet or air.Tooth decay (cavity)A hole in the tooth caused by acid from plaque bacteria.Cracked or broken toothA crack or fracture in the tooth, from biting, grinding or injury.Gum diseaseInflammation of the gums, from early gingivitis to periodontitis.

Tooth sensitivity

What it is

Sensitivity happens when the inner layer of the tooth (dentine) is exposed, often due to worn enamel or receding gums.

Common symptoms

  • Sharp twinge with cold drinks or ice cream
  • Discomfort when brushing
  • Sensitivity to cold air

Possible causes

  • Brushing too hard
  • Acidic foods and drinks
  • Receding gums
  • Grinding
  • Recent whitening
  • Decay or a cracked tooth

When to seek care

If sensitivity lasts more than a couple of weeks, is getting worse, or is limited to one tooth.

What treatment may involve

Desensitising toothpaste, fluoride application, bonding over exposed areas, or treating any decay or crack.

Your dentist identifies the cause and recommends the simplest effective option.

What it may feel like & recovery

Most treatments for sensitivity are quick and comfortable.

Desensitising toothpaste may take a few weeks of regular use to work.

Not always, but it can. An examination helps tell the difference.

Learn more: General Dentistry Gum Treatment

Tooth decay (cavity)

What it is

Plaque bacteria turn sugars into acid, which gradually dissolves tooth enamel. Early decay may not hurt; as it gets deeper it can cause sensitivity and pain.

Common symptoms

  • Sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold
  • A visible hole or dark spot
  • Food catching in one spot
  • Pain when biting

Possible causes

  • Frequent sugary snacks or drinks
  • Plaque left on teeth
  • Dry mouth
  • Missed check-ups

When to seek care

Book a check-up if you notice sensitivity, a dark spot or a hole. Earlier treatment is usually simpler.

What treatment may involve

Small cavities are often repaired with a tooth-coloured filling. Deep decay that reaches the nerve may need root canal treatment.

The area is numbed, the decay is removed and the tooth is rebuilt with filling material shaped to your bite.

What it may feel like & recovery

With local anaesthetic, most people feel pressure and vibration rather than pain.

You can usually eat once the numbness wears off. Mild sensitivity for a few days can be normal.

Very early enamel changes can sometimes be reversed with fluoride and better habits, but a true cavity (hole) does not heal by itself.

Learn more: General Dentistry Root Canal

Cracked or broken tooth

What it is

Teeth can crack from biting something hard, grinding, large old fillings or an accident. Cracks can be tiny and hard to see.

Common symptoms

  • Sharp pain when biting, especially on release
  • Pain with cold
  • A sharp edge or missing piece
  • Pain that comes and goes

Possible causes

  • Biting hard foods or objects
  • Teeth grinding
  • Large fillings
  • Trauma

When to seek care

See a dentist soon — cracks can spread. Keep any broken piece.

Seek urgent care for facial trauma, heavy bleeding, or if a tooth is knocked out.

What treatment may involve

Bonding, a filling, a crown, root canal treatment if the nerve is affected, or extraction for deep vertical cracks.

Your dentist examines and may test the tooth to locate the crack, then explains repair options.

What it may feel like & recovery

Treatment is done with local anaesthetic where needed.

Usually quick. A crown may be recommended to protect the tooth long-term.

Yes. A broken tooth can become sensitive, cut your tongue or break further. Early repair is usually simpler.

Learn more: General Dentistry Root Canal Cosmetic Dentistry

Gum disease

What it is

Plaque along the gumline inflames the gums. Early gum disease is often reversible; advanced gum disease affects the bone supporting the teeth.

Common symptoms

  • Bleeding when brushing
  • Red or swollen gums
  • Bad breath
  • Receding gums
  • Loose teeth

Possible causes

  • Plaque and tartar build-up
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Hormonal changes
  • Some medications

When to seek care

Book a gum assessment if gums bleed regularly.

What treatment may involve

Professional cleaning, deep cleaning below the gumline and a personalised home-care plan.

Gum pockets are measured, then cleaning is carried out — with local anaesthetic for deep cleaning.

What it may feel like & recovery

Deep cleaning is usually comfortable with anaesthetic; gums can be tender for a few days.

Bleeding usually reduces over the following weeks with good home care.

No — gentle, thorough cleaning is part of healing. See a dentist to find the cause.

Learn more: Gum Treatment General Dentistry

Common causes

  • Brushing too hard or with a hard brush
  • Acidic foods and drinks (citrus, fizzy drinks)
  • Gum recession
  • Grinding or clenching
  • Recent whitening or dental treatment
  • Decay or a cracked tooth

What may help

  • Use a desensitising toothpaste twice a day for several weeks
  • Use a soft toothbrush and gentle technique
  • Reduce acidic drinks and use a straw
  • Wait about an hour after acidic foods before brushing

When to see a dentist

  • Sensitivity in one specific tooth
  • Pain that lingers after the trigger is gone
  • Sensitivity that is getting worse
  • Pain when biting

This information is for general guidance only and does not replace a professional dental examination. Your dentist will assess your condition and treatment options may vary.

Have questions? Talk to our team.

Tell us what you’re experiencing. We’ll help you understand your options and how soon you should be seen.

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Frequently asked questions

Often not. Many people improve with the right toothpaste and habits, and dental treatment can cover exposed areas.

Related treatments

General DentistryMaintain your oral health with check-ups, cleaning and fillings.Gum Disease TreatmentCare for bleeding, swollen or receding gums.Teeth WhiteningLighten stains with professionally supervised whitening.

Patient guides

Tooth PainTooth pain can have many different causes. You don’t need to work out which one — but understanding the possibilities can make the next step feel less worrying.Read guide Bleeding GumsGums that bleed when you brush are common — but they’re telling you something. The good news is that early gum problems usually improve with the right care.Read guide

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