rediffGURU Dr Shyam Jamalabad, a dentist with over four decades of experience, explains how to protect your teeth from sensitivity.
That quick jolt you feel when you eat hot or cold food is called tooth sensitivity.
"Acidic foods/drinks, acid reflux or whitening products can thin enamel over time," says rediffGURU Dr Shyam Jamalabad, a Mumbai-based dentist with over four decades of experience.
While answering a question about how to deal with tooth sensitivity, Dr Jamalabad shares a list of tips to protect your enamel.
Anonymous: I have tooth sensitivity when I eat hot soups, cold water or ice creams.
I don't have any pain or injury as such.
What could be causing it? What should I do? I am 36.
Tooth sensitivity to heat or cold without pain or injury is not uncommon, even in your 30s.
It's usually not a major crisis. And it's easily treatable. But it does indicate that the outermost protective layer (enamel) of your teeth is compromised.
Likely causes
- Exposed dentin: Enamel wears down or gums recede, exposing the inner sensitive dentin.
- Gum recession: Aggressive brushing, grinding or gum issues can pull the gums back and expose the tooth roots. Roots don't have enamel.
- Enamel erosion: Acidic foods/drinks, acid reflux or whitening products can thin enamel over time.
- Cracked filling or small cavity: Might not hurt yet but still lets temperature through.
- Teeth grinding/clenching: Wears enamel and can cause microfractures.
- Recent dental work: Cleaning, whitening or fillings can cause temporary sensitivity for weeks.
What you can do right now
- Switch your toothpaste. Use a desensitising toothpaste with potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride. Takes two to four weeks of daily use to really work.
- Brush gentler. Use a soft-bristle brush only. No scrubbing. Think 'massage', not 'scour.'
- Skip acids: Avoid acidic foods or beverages.
- Use a fluoride mouthwash. Using a fluoride rinse at night helps strengthen enamel.
- Check for night grinding. If you wake up with a sore jaw, ask your dentist about a night guard.
If you notice these red flags, book a dentist's appointment sooner
- Sensitivity that lingers over 30 seconds.
- One specific tooth that's way worse.
- Visible gum recession or if it keeps getting worse despite using desensitising toothpaste.
A dentist can spot the exact cause and recommend doing a fluoride varnish, bonding over exposed roots, treating gum disease or replacing a leaky filling.
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