Dentine Hypersensitivity

Dentine hypersensitivity is a common condition where patients experience a sharp, sudden pain in their teeth upon contact with specific substances such as hot and cold drinks or foods, sweet things, acidic and sour items and also sometimes even air. It occurs when the dentine (the underlying layer of your teeth) is exposed when the enamel coating is worn away due to brushing or erosion. It can also occur during the receding process of the gum, and due to dentine exposure when the gums have shrunk back to expose the roots of the teeth. Dentine hypersensitivity occurs when the dentinal tubules (tiny channels that contain the nerve fibers), which are usually protected by the enamel coating, are exposed and the nerve fibers become hypersensitive to certain stimuli. The pain that results after contact with a hot or cold beverage, or a sweet and sour food item can be quite severe. To respond to this pain, the patient will usually flinch or move away from the stimulus, and then the pain will go away, until the next trigger. In some cases, the pain is so severe that it lingers for a few minutes. The condition is most common among individuals who use a hard toothbrush, people with gum disease, and people who neglect their oral hygiene routine. However, anyone can be affected, and it is estimated that around one in eight adults suffer from some form of dentine hypersensitivity. Thankfully, there are treatments available to relieve dentine hypersensitivity. These include different types of toothpastes and mouth rinses formulated specifically to soothe the exposed nerve endings and rebuild the protective enamel layer of the teeth. Your dentist may also provide specialized desensitizing treatments as part of their general dental care. These treatments involve chemical agents being placed on the exposed dentine which then block off the tubules and prevent stimuli from reaching the nerve and causing further pain. If you think you may be suffering from dentine hypersensitivity, don’t hesitate to speak to your dentist about it. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action and provide treatments to help you manage your condition and get back to enjoying food and beverages pain-free.