Sensitive Teeth

Dentinal sensitivity is quite treatable, whatever the cause. Your dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth. If your teeth are too sensitive to be cleaned, your dentist may use a local anesthetic or nitrous oxide before the cleaning.

After a cleaning, your dentist may apply a fluoride varnish to protect your teeth. This temporarily reduces sensitivity. It also strengthens your teeth. Your dentist also may apply an in-office treatment for sensitivity. These products block the openings (tubules) in your teeth and reduce sensitivity.

Using fluoride toothpastes and fluoride mouth rinses at home also will help to reduce sensitivity. Toothpastes are available just for sensitive teeth. Talk to your dentist about which fluoride rinses you should use. Some over-the-counter rinses are acidic. Others are not. You should choose a fluoride mouth rinse that uses neutral sodium fluoride.

Pulpal sensitivity can be treated with a root canal if the tooth's nerve is damaged or dying. If the sensitivity is from a new amalgam (silver) filling, it should go away on its own in several weeks. In some cases, a new filling may be too "high" and may be causing sensitivity. Your dentist can polish the filling in this case. Sensitivity caused by grinding or clenching should diminish as the condition is treated.