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Sensitive Teeth

Suffering from sensitive teeth and gums? Dental sensitivity is common but can be annoying and uncomfortable. Learn how to better manage sensitivity.

Sensitive Teeth

Have you ever felt discomfort when taking a sip of coffee, eating a bowl of hot soup or cold ice cream, or even breathing in cold air? Does brushing or flossing your teeth sometimes makes you wince?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you may be suffering from tooth hypersensitivity.

What is tooth hypersensitivity?

Sensitive Teeth

Tooth hypersensitivity, also known as dental hypersensitivity, is essentially a sharp pain in one or more teeth.

What causes sensitive teeth?

Tooth sensitivity occurs when an exposed root surface of a tooth is irritated by hot, cold, or other sensations.

Teeth are coated with a protective layer of enamel, the strongest substance in the body. This coating also extends below the gumline, into the gums. The enamel shell in this root area is particularly vulnerable and can wear away over time. What causes sensitive teeth? When this protective enamel shell wears away, the highly sensitive inner part of the tooth, known as dentin, becomes exposed.

Heat, cold, or acidic foods can then travel down tiny channels in the dentin and reach the nerves inside the tooth, causing sharp pain.

What makes enamel wear away?

Your enamel can be worn away for many reasons, including sugary or acidic foods and drinks, or even brushing too hard. This is why it is very important to brush your teeth properly.

The aging process affects the mouth too. With time, our gums begin to recede, revealing the root area where the protective enamel shell is particularly susceptible.

Our teeth can also suffer from mineral loss, which contributes to the steady erosion of enamel.

Which solutions should I use if I have sensitive teeth?

If you are suffering from sensitive teeth or gums, you should use a toothpaste with Potassium Nitrate, a clinically proven anti-sensitivity agent.  There are rinses with Potassium Nitrate that you could use for extra protection as well.

It is also very important to use an ultra-soft toothbrush to prevent further damage to your teeth and reduce discomfort.

Speak to your dentist for advice on what is causing the sensitivity and how to treat it. Our GUM® SensiVital® range is designed for daily relief and prevention of sensitive teeth. It reinforces the natural defenses of the mouth to help protect teeth and gums from external irritations and the natural process of aging.

Read our top tips on how to brush your teeth.