Dentin Hypersensitivity: Understanding Tooth Hypersensitivity and How to Find Relief

Dentin Hypersensitivity: Understanding Tooth Hypersensitivity and How to Find Relief

A cold scoop of ice cream, a hot cup of coffee, a juicy slice of orange. These should be life’s simple pleasures. But if you find yourself wincing in pain instead of enjoying these treats, you may be suffering from Dentin Hypersensitivity.

Dentin Hypersensitivity, commonly known as sensitive teeth, is a condition that results from exposed dentin tissue in your tooth. As a result of worn enamel and cementum (the outermost layers of tissue on the tooth), the secondary layer known as dentin becomes vulnerable to hot, cold, acids, and other stimuli that could be causing you great pain.

So, what causes Dentin Hypersensitivity? And how can you find tooth sensitivity relief? Read ahead to learn more about this painful but common dental condition.

What is Dentin Hypersensitivity?

If you’ve ever experienced sensitive teeth when brushing, eating, or drinking, you may be suffering from Dentin Hypersensitivity (DH).

DH is a common form of tooth sensitivity pain resulting from exposed dentin.

What is Dentin? Dentin is one of four main forms of tissue that exist within the teeth, which predominantly helps with tooth structure. Dentin transmits signals to nerve tissue in the pulp of the tooth, which can make it sensitive to stimuli like temperature.

Dentin Hypersensitivity occurs when the top protective layers of the tooth—enamel and cementum—weather away, leaving dentin exposed.

As dentin contains tubules that connect to nerve fibers in the center of the tooth, when enamel and cementum wear away, these tubules become vulnerable to various stimuli, like heat, cold, pressure, touch, or acidic foods. What results are short, sharp, intense bursts of pain and discomfort originating from the teeth. ¹

What causes Dentin Hypersensitivity?

There are a variety of Dentin Hypersensitivity causes, including:

• Gum recession: Late-stage gum disease can cause gums to recede, leading to exposed dental tubules and dentin hypersensitivity. This can be caused by poor oral hygiene habits, like brushing, flossing, and mouth rinsing infrequently.^{1, 2}

• Tooth Grinding: Grinding your teeth together—whether throughout the day or while you sleep—can cause enamel to abrade, exposing dentin.¹

• Acidic foods/beverages: Overconsumption of foods and beverages that contain high levels of acid can contribute to the erosion of protective tooth enamel and cementum. Items like sodas, citrus fruit juices, alcoholic beverages, and foods with high levels of vinegar can all contribute to tooth erosion.³  

• Aggressive tooth brushing: There’s a reason you may experience sensitive teeth when brushing. While it may sound counterintuitive, brushing too hard can leave your dentin vulnerable to sensitivity. Using hard or thick-bristle tooth brushes, brushing teeth with excessive pressure, and using abrasive toothpastes can all lead to DH.¹

Tooth decay, tooth fracture, and warn fillings can also play into increased DH, which is why it’s critical to visit a dentist twice per year.

How do you prevent dentin hypersensitivity?

Here are some practical tips for avoiding tooth sensitivity pain:

Practice proper brushing technique: Use a soft-bristle brush, and avoid exerting too much pressure as you brush.1

Use a desensitizing toothpaste: A major aspect of dentin hypersensitivity self-care is using the right toothpaste. For ongoing relief of tooth sensitivity pain, use a toothpaste specifically indicated for sensitive teeth.

Avoid acidic foods and drinks: Acidic substances can weaken your enamel, leaving your dentin vulnerable to sensitivity. Avoid eating and drinking substances that include high levels of acid, and wait at least an hour after consuming acidic foods before you brush your teeth (as such substances can exacerbate abrasion).¹

Use a straw: Drinking through a straw can help minimize contact between tooth enamel and acidic beverages.

Protect teeth from grinding: Ask your dentist about using a mouth guard when you sleep. A mouth guard can help prevent involuntary grinding of teeth through the night, which could prevent abrasion of enamel and potential dentin hypersensitivity.¹

Use a mouthwash indicated for tooth sensitivity: LISTERINE^® Clinical Solutions Sensitive Teeth Mouthwash provides 24-hour tooth sensitivity relief and protection with continual use. It leaves your breath fresh by killing 99.9% of bad breath germs, and provides relief from tooth pain and discomfort, making it our best mouthwash for sensitive teeth.

Dentin Hypersensitivity Treatment

There are a variety of dentin hypersensitivity treatments, depending on severity and your personal needs:

Desensitizing Toothpaste: Some desensitizing toothpastes contain the ingredient potassium nitrate, which is understood to work by penetrating the dentin tubules (the microscopic channels within the tooth’s dentin layer) and depolarizing the nerve. In turn, this interrupts the neural response to pain stimuli. In other words, it stops your nerves from feeling intense pain when a trigger like heat, cold, or acidity is applied to the tooth.⁴

Fluoride Treatment: Fluoride is a mineral found in a wealth of toothpaste and mouthwash products. It works by strengthening the tooth’s hard outer surface (the enamel), helping to reverse early decay by replenishing lost minerals. By strengthening enamel, you can help prevent exposed dentin.⁵

Professional Treatments: Talk to your dentist about clinical dentin hypersensitivity treatments. Some options include:

• Fluoride gel to strengthen enamel and reduce the transfer of sensation to the nerve.

• A crown, filling, or bonding to cover, fill, or repair cracks in teeth, covering any exposed dentin.

• Gum tissue graft, which repairs the gum and protects the root of the tooth.

Use Listerine Clinical Solutions Sensitivity Mouthwash

LISTERINE ® Clinical Solutions Sensitive Teeth Mouthwash provides 24-hour tooth sensitivity relief and protection with continual use. By blocking exposed dentin tubules in sensitive areas of the teeth, this Fresh Mint flavored mouthwash can relieve tooth sensitivity with continual use, making it our best mouthwash for sensitive teeth.

When to see a dentist

Whether you are experiencing signs of DH or not, you should visit a dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning, and discuss any ongoing concerns with your provider. Still, if you are experiencing discomfort related to DH, reach out to a professional, even if your next cleaning is a while off. If you are experiencing any of the following, contact your dentist:

• Persistent or worsening symptoms: Most people will experience a tooth sensitive to hot and cold on occasion, but if pain lasts or seems to be getting worse, don’t wait. Contact a dentist and discuss options for tooth sensitivity relief as soon as available.

• Pain that interferes with daily activities: If you’re experiencing consistent short, sharp tooth pains, tooth tender to touch, or unexplained discomfort that is so bad that it interferes with daily life, contact a dentist immediately.

• Visible gum recession: As previously explained, receding gums can lead to exposed dentin, which will only cause you more sensitivity with time. If you have visible gum recession, reach out to a dentist.