6 Common Causes of Tooth Sensitivity That You Shouldn’t Ignore

Teeth sensitivity is a quite common issue that can affect everyone. This condition means that your teeth react with pain to some irritants like cold air, sweets, and hot or cold foods and drinks. The pain usually lasts for seconds but it can be extremely annoying. In most cases, teeth sensitivity should be evaluated and treated by a dentist. In this article, we have gathered six common causes of tooth sensitivity that you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Tooth decay

Tooth decay, also known as cavities and caries, is a hole in the tooth. This condition is usually associated with a toothache and increased tooth sensitivity. The point is that a hole caused by acids can reach the inner layer of the tooth. 

This layer is called the pulp and contains nerve endings. That’s why your tooth can become sensitive to temperature changes. Fortunately, tooth decay can be easily treated by a dentist, especially if you contact a doctor in time. 

2. Old dental filling

If you have been treated for tooth decay, it doesn’t mean that you don’t need to pay attention to your dental fillings. The point is that they can wear out over time and become loose. As a result, sensitive layers of the tooth can become exposed to air, foods, and drinks. 

The space between your tooth and loose filling can also be filled with bacteria and food particles and this can promote the reoccurrence of tooth decay. Additionally, dental fillings can completely fall out. In this case, you need to replace them with new fillings. 

3. Chipped tooth

In many cases, tooth fractures are extremely painful and people who have broken a tooth usually rush to a dentist. If you have chipped a small part of the tooth, you may not experience a severe toothache. 

But you should know that a chipped tooth may become sensitive because the protective layer (tooth enamel) wasn’t restored. Moreover, a cracked or chipped tooth can be more prone to tooth decay. So if you have broken a piece of the tooth, you need to visit a dental specialist and restore it as soon as possible. 

4. Dental abscess

A dental abscess is a condition in which the infection gets inside of the tooth and causes the development of pus. Symptoms of a dental abscess include:

• Toothache


• increased tooth sensitivity


• Gum swelling


• Bad breath


• Unpleasant taste in the mouth


• Fever

An untreated dental abscess can lead to severe consequences. For example, a sac with pus can burst and pus can spread throughout your jaw and/or neck. 

5. Gum recession

Gum recession is a condition in which gums shrink and pull back exposing the roots of the teeth. It is essential to understand that the roots of the teeth are extremely sensitive so you may experience a toothache while eating and drinking. 

The most common causes of increased teeth sensitivity include gum disease, aggressive tooth brushing, smoking, vitamin C deficiency, and poor oral hygiene. This means that proper treatment for gum recession depends on its cause.

6. Enamel wear

Even though tooth enamel is quite hard, there are awesome factors that can make it wear out. In most cases, tooth enamel becomes thin with age. However, the following causes can also lead to enamel wear:

• Poor oral hygiene


• Aggressive tooth brushing


• Increased consumption of acidic foods and drinks


• Bulimia


• Acid reflux


• Teeth grinding 

When tooth enamel becomes worn out, your teeth can become sensitive to temperature changes. Your dentist can perform dental bonding or install dental crowns to protect your tooth enamel from further damage.