If you are like most people, you may brush your teeth when you wake up in the morning like most of us do and then go on to face the day. The last thing you need is to give your teeth a second thought, but then lunch time comes around, you take a nice big gulp of your ice cold beverage and it hits you! Ouch! Why is my tooth hurting?!! Tooth sensitivity can be one of the most irritating, infuriating, and bothersome things that can happen to someone. It can ruin your day and send a million thoughts into your head, one of which is “I need a dentist” or “Oh no! Do I need a root canal?!”

When it comes to tooth sensitivity, the sooner we get to the root of the problem the less likely it is that you will need a lengthy procedure to resolve it. This is one of the main reasons preventative dental care is so important. However, understanding the most common causes of tooth sensitivity will aid in prevention.

Listed here are the six most common causes of tooth sensitivity and some suggestions for reducing the likelihood that this will happen to you:

1) Sour/Acidic foods & beverages – Acids in food and beverages, such as lemons or soda will decrease the mineralization of tooth enamel making it soft and vulnerable, this is called acid erosion. Once the enamel erodes, it can leave the second layer of the tooth, the dentin layer, exposed. The dentin layer contains projections of nerves from the pulp and can be very sensitive. The best way to prevent this exposure is to avoid acidic foods and beverages, but if that is not an option, simply rinsing your mouth out with water afterwards will help to neutralize the acid environment and prevent acid erosion.

2) Plaque Buildup and Cavities – Plaque buildup is a composition of food, bacteria, and minerals that can build up along the gum line throughout the day. The bacteria in the plaque will metabolize the “food” and excrete acids as their byproduct. As stated before acid will cause demineralization of the enamel and lead to sensitivity as well as cavities which are bacteria laden holes in your teeth. The best way to avoid this is to brush and floss daily to remove the plaque and of course, visit your dentist twice a year for your routine exam and cleanings in order to detect and resolve any problems early on.

3) Bleaching – Some whitening products (and whitening toothpastes) that contain peroxide-based bleaching agents may also cause tooth sensitivity because the main ingredient acts to open the pores in the tooth to allow the bleaching material to penetrate and effervesce to remove staining. With the tooth becoming more porous, the nerves are further exposed making the teeth more sensitive. Usually this sensitivity is self limiting and after a few days the pores will return to normal thereby decreasing sensitivity. To avoid this post-bleaching sensitivity it is best to bleach your teeth at your dentist’s office where he/she can give you anti-sensitivity gel afterwards. This gel acts to remineralize the tooth and close the pores making your teeth less sensitive. If you are bleaching at home, make sure to give your teeth enough time to “heal” before attempting to bleach again. At least one week is sufficient but, the longer you wait between bleaching sessions the better.

4) Aggressive brushing – It can be counterintuitive, but brushing too hard can actually be bad for you! When you brush aggressively you run the risk of causing gum recession which can expose the roots of your teeth. Tooth roots do not have a protective enamel layer, they are composed primarily of dentin which has several nerve extensions and can be extremely sensitive. Brushing too hard can also wear away the enamel above the gum line and cause further sensitivity. The main way to prevent this is to be conscious of your brushing force. Choose a toothbrush with a soft head and be gentle. Switching to an electric toothbrush may also solve the problem as you don’t need to apply any force, simply hold it in place and it will do all the work for you.

5) Grinding or clenching your teeth – Most of you don’t even know you are doing it but grinding, or bruxism, can be very damaging not only to your jaw but to your teeth as well. Enamel is the strongest tissue in your body, but it’s no match for the grind or clench of your jaw! Grinding can cause tooth wear (attrition) and again, decrease the amount of enamel and expose the dentin of a tooth making it sensitive. Clenching can cause further damage by creating stress fractures in the tooth exposing the nerve directly. An easy way to prevent this is to get a mouth guard or night guard. This is a simple device that can be made at your dentist’s office to fit your teeth and prevent you from grinding them away! Unfortunately grinding or clenching your teeth is directly related to the amount of stress in your life, so another, more difficult but equally effective way is to make some lifestyle changes and decrease your stress level. A healthy diet and exercise are always a good start!

6) Cracked teeth – Enamel may be the strongest tissue in our bodies, but it can only withstand so much. We put our teeth through a lot on a daily basis and sometimes the pressure becomes too great and they may break or “crack”. Sometimes these cracks can be superficial but often times they run deep into the tooth and expose the nerve directly causing a tremendous amount of sensitivity and pain. The only way to prevent a cracked tooth is to watch what you are eating. Don’t attempt to chew anything that is so hard it hurts to eat it! Often times cracked teeth are the conclusion of an accumulation of dental problems causing the tooth to be so weak that it breaks. Often times it is a tooth that has an old leaking silver filling (amalgam) that needs to be replaced. To prevent this make sure to see your dentist twice a year for a routine exam to detect any problems that would otherwise go unnoticed.


In conclusion, one of the key ways to decrease the likelihood of tooth sensitivity is to prevent dental problems in the first place. Visit your dentist before a problem happens, you’d be surprised what can be prevented with routine dental care! We are always here to help!

Dr. Rima Shaer