Brushing to hard or with too much pressure which removes gum tissue.  2 our of 3 people brush too hard.

Aging, sensitivity is highest between the ages of 25-30 

Using a hard tooth brush instead of a soft one

Poor oral hygiene which leads to plaque build-up around the teeth and gums.  This plaque hardens into tartar.  The bacteria that live in plaque cause  gum disease  and gum recession

The exposed roots contain small pores or tubules which lead directly to the nerve of the tooth.  Pain, pressure and cold stimuli  can travel down the tubules and trigger the tooth nerve causing pain and discomfort

Stimulation from hot beverages or foods

Tooth whitening-often beautiful, but sometimes uncomfortable, at least for a few days 

Hypersensitivy

Cracked teeth

Grinding your teeth

Long term use of mouthwashes such as Listerine or Oraldene damage dentine and cause dentin sensitivity and reverse the beneficial effects of toothpaste

Enamel erosion by acidic foods 

Root sensitivity can occur after having your teeth cleaned, following root planning , crown placement, or even having fillings.  The good news is this sensitivity will disappear in about four to six weeks 

People with sensitivities to sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch also usually have sensitive teeth. #

Decreased saliva flow-simple test is to invert the lower lip, dry the mucous membrane off  and see how long it takes for small droplets of saliva to flow from the minor salivary glands.  If it takes more than a minute, the saliva flow is down.

PH test resulting in an "acidic mouth"

Dental treatments-simple cleanings, orthodontics or restoration

Dehydration due to diuretics such as alcohol beverages, caffeine-containing drinks  like coffee and Mountain Dew.+

Use a toothpaste for sensitivity.  They work in a cumulative fashion to cover the open tubules.  They contain strontium chloride and/ or potassium nitrate which act to remineralize the tooth surface by diffusing into the open pores (tubules) on the enamel.  This process  helps block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the tooth nerve. They need to be used 4-6 weeks before any changes can be noted.

Continue to practice brushing gently and carefully around the gumline so you do not remove more gum tissue or continue demineralize the tooth surface

Avoid highly acidic foods like citrus or soda pop that can work against the sensitivity toothpaste

 Brush gently with a soft toothbrush twice/day using a low abrasion desensitizing toothpaste 

Use fluoride mouth rinse to help remineralize the tooth surface.  Fluoride gels and varnish are effective also.

Don't use a tartar control toothpaste, use a fluoridated toothpaste or desensitizing toothpaste

Try spreading a thin layer of desensitizing toothpaste on the exposed roots with your finger or a Q-tip before you go to bed

Avoiding very cold foods

Monitor intake of fruit drinks or sports drinks that are high in sugar and/or acid; tomatoes; pickles; citrus, pop; tea

Always use a de-sensitizing toothpaste for 2-3 weeks prior to having your teeth "cleaned" or before having Root Planning and Scaling

Avoid teeth grinding and clenching by using a nightguard

Having professional tooth cleaning, oral hygiene instructions and fluoride treatments.  Our office uses ultrasonic scaling to help minimize dentin sensitivity 

Home care must be evaluated and adjusted as necessary.

Chemical desensitization (Gluma/ Hurriseal / Pain-Free) provided by your dentist is the most common method of treatment. 

Surface sealers or self etch primers (Seal & Protect/Clearfil SE Bond ) can be a costly

If you drink orange juice in the morning and than brush soon after you may want to either wait at least an hour before brushing, or at least use water only when brushing, then rinse with mouthwash. This gives give time for your saliva to remineralize the enamel.

 Rinsing with water 

 Rinsing with a fluoride solution