When you drink something hot or acidic like lemon juice, or eat cold foods like ice cream, you may feel pain or sensitivity in your teeth. The same can happen when you eat sweets or even while brushing your teeth.
You may now be wondering: what is causing this sensitivity, and how can you tell the difference between simple tooth sensitivity and nerve pain?
This article explains the most important information on prevention and treatment so you can protect your oral health, avoid severe nerve pain, and reduce tooth sensitivity.
1. Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is not always caused by enamel erosion. In some people, the tooth enamel is naturally thinner or weaker. In such cases, the dentist usually prescribes fluoride and a special toothpaste to help reduce sensitivity.
If you notice gum recession or visible enamel wear due to a broken tooth or tooth decay, you should see a dentist. An X‑ray will help determine the real cause of your sensitivity.
2. What Are the Symptoms of Tooth Sensitivity?
Many people complain of tooth sensitivity in specific situations and often find it hard to distinguish between ordinary sensitivity and nerve (pulp) pain.
Main Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
– Some people experience more sensitivity than others because their enamel layer is thinner or has been worn down.
– Temporary sensitivity can occur after tartar (calculus) removal when parts of the tooth root are exposed, especially around crowns or fillings.
– Temporary sensitivity after teeth whitening is also common; it can last for up to two weeks and then usually resolves on its own.
Causes of Enamel Erosion
– Constant pressure on the teeth (for example, from grinding or clenching) can cause tiny fractures in the enamel, making teeth more sensitive.
– Acidic drinks can erode enamel when they stay on the teeth for a long time, such as lemon juice, sodas like cola, or in people who have frequent stomach acid reflux.
– Using a hard-bristled toothbrush with excessive force can also wear down the enamel.
– Untreated tooth decay that reaches the dentin (the layer under the enamel) exposes it and leads to sensitivity.
3. Can Tooth Sensitivity Be Treated?
Management of tooth sensitivity depends on the underlying cause:
– Sensitivity due to recent dental work such as crowns or fillings is usually temporary and often resolves on its own.
– If the tooth is broken or decayed, choose a skilled dentist to place an aesthetic (tooth‑colored) filling to protect the tooth and reduce sensitivity.
– Use a soft‑bristled toothbrush and avoid aggressive brushing. On the lower teeth, brush gently from bottom to top; on the upper teeth, brush from top to bottom, also gently, to minimize gum recession.
– Use a toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth (such as Sensodyne), and ask your dentist about in‑office treatments like concentrated fluoride applications to help control sensitivity.
4. Some Symptoms of Tooth Nerve Pain
Before explaining the difference between tooth sensitivity and nerve pain, it’s important to understand some of the common signs and symptoms of nerve (pulp) inflammation in a tooth.
Symptoms of Tooth Nerve Pain
- A sensation of cold pain in the tooth that lasts for a relatively long time—continuous pain for several seconds.
- Worsening pain when drinking something hot, with relief when drinking something cold. In other words, heat increases the pain and cold reduces it.
- Severe, throbbing, or unbearable pain that may feel like the tooth is being pulled out.
- Pain when biting down on all your teeth, with more intense pain in the affected tooth.
- Toothache that appears when flying, upon waking up, or that becomes more intense at night when lying down—these are strong indicators of nerve inflammation.
- Spontaneous tooth pain without any obvious trigger, sometimes accompanied by other symptoms—this also suggests nerve inflammation.
5. What Is the Difference Between Tooth Sensitivity and Nerve Pain?
The difference between simple tooth sensitivity and nerve pain is quite significant:
– Tooth sensitivity is usually a diffuse, milder discomfort felt in different areas of the mouth, especially when consuming hot or cold drinks.
– Nerve inflammation (pulpitis), on the other hand, often causes localized, intense pain, and may lead to swelling in the affected area, accompanied by headache, cheek swelling, and sharp, radiating pain that can extend to the ear.
6. Some of the Main Causes of Toothache
Toothache is one of the most common types of pain people experience and can be more severe than pain in many other parts of the body. While many pains can be managed temporarily with antibiotics or simple painkillers, toothache typically cannot be properly resolved without seeing a dentist.
Tooth pain is a warning signal that should be taken seriously. It usually progresses through several stages, and understanding them can help you identify the cause:
- A tooth consists of three main layers.
– The outer layer is the enamel: an extremely hard, mineral‑rich tissue with no living cells. It’s very strong (can be up to about 2.5 mm thick), covering the crown of the tooth and tapering toward the root to protect it.
- Beneath that is the dentin: this layer is less hard than enamel and contains millions of microscopic tubules filled with fluid and living cells.
- The innermost layer is the tooth nerve (the dental pulp): it lies in a hollow chamber inside the tooth and contains blood vessels and lymphatic vessels that nourish the tooth.
These three layers make up the structure of the tooth. When you feel pain, it usually means the process has already gone beyond the enamel layer. So when you drink something hot or cold or eat sweets and feel pain, it often indicates that decay has progressed into the tooth.
If there is a small cavity, food and drink can trigger the nerve inside the tooth, causing pain that may last a few seconds or a few minutes.
In more advanced cases, severe pain can last through the night and appear without any trigger. This is a strong sign that the decay has reached the pulp and caused significant inflammation, often requiring root canal treatment to remove the infected nerve tissue.
Most toothaches are caused by tooth decay and inflammation of the tooth nerve. However, pain can also result from a cracked tooth or from excessive force when the upper and lower teeth come together, leading to inflammation around the tooth root.
7. Can Toothpaste Relieve Toothache?
Toothpaste can provide quick, temporary relief from tooth sensitivity. You can apply a small amount of desensitizing toothpaste directly to the sensitive teeth and gently rub it in twice daily, as directed by your dentist.
8. How Do I Know If the Decay Is Only Superficial?
If you feel short, temporary pain when consuming hot or cold drinks, or if you notice discomfort at night when biting down or putting pressure on your teeth, you should see a dentist promptly. A clinical examination and X‑ray will determine how deep the decay is and whether it is still superficial.
Dr. Fares Matouk
– Bachelor’s degree in Dental Medicine and Surgery, Al‑Qalamoun University – Damascus.
– Completed multiple courses in cosmetic dentistry and smile design.
– 11 years of experience in restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
Areas of special interest and expertise:
– All types of fixed prosthodontics (bridges, crowns, and bonded dental veneers such as veneers and Lumineers).
– Cosmetic dental services (aesthetic fillings, tooth restoration, Hollywood smile).
– Comprehensive smile makeover planning and execution.
– Root canal treatment and tooth extraction.
