IT IS very common for persons to visit their dentist complaining that their teeth pain when they eat or drink hot or cold foods or drinks. Pain may also be felt when they breathe in cold air. The condition can be rather annoying, but the problem can be easily prevented or treated. Sensitivity can happen when gums pull away from the teeth, or when gum tissue is lost. Gum loss can also occur as a result of brushing too hard or not brushing and flossing regularly. When gum loss occurs, the part of the tooth below the gumline can be exposed. This exposed part is called tooth root. There are tiny tunnels that contain fluid and lead from the tooth root to the tooth’s nerve centre. This nerve centre is called the pulp. When heat or cold touches these tunnels, the tooth fluid can excite the nerve, causing pain in your teeth.
Sensitivity can also happen if the tooth’s hard surface layer, called the enamel, gets worn away.  Now, sensitivity can also come and go, but ignoring it can lead to other health problems in your mouth.
So, what are the factors that can contribute to tooth sensitivity? Brushing too hard, which eventually destroys the extreme attachment at the gumline, or using a toothbrush with hard bristles.
Remember, toothbrushes with stiff bristles are really meant for gums and artificial teeth such as dentures, bridges, etc. Coca cola, fruit juices and sugary snacks can contribute to cavities, which may cause sensitivity. The initial stages of tooth decay around the neck of the tooth could manifest as sensitivity.
Another situation that can result in sensitivity is the grinding of teeth. This is made complicated for the dentist to treat due to the fact that most cases involve a heavy influence of the patient suffering from a psychological disorder, either permanent or temporary. For example, when a person is stressed out, he or she may be consistently grinding their teeth without being conscious of it. Not long after, the result is the initiation of gumline retraction with accompanying teeth sensitivity. There are other less common causes, such as tooth mobility, tooth cracks or fractures, nerve damage and tooth trauma.
Something that may surprise you is the fact that frequent dental cleanings can lead to teeth sensitivity. In other words, your dentist can actually harm you in this way. The effects are usually transient, but you should revisit your dentist if it persists. And, by the way, in addition, those frequent and unnecessary professional cleanings can cause your teeth to darken (but that is another topic). Teeth whitening may also be the culprit in sensitivity, because many of the over-the-counter products are able to disorganise the chemical construction of the enamel’s surface.
How can you help prevent sensitivity? First, brush and floss thoroughly, at least twice a day, to prevent gum loss. Be sure to clean all parts of your mouth, including between the teeth and along the gumline. If when you are finished, you are not sure if the job you have done is  adequate, then you can utilise plaque-disclosing tablets. I sell them at my clinic.
Now, what should you do if you have sensitive teeth? Before visiting your dentist and having to pay for information that that you can get free from this column, start by purchasing and using Sensodyne Toothpaste for Sensitive teeth.
Now, there are many toothpastes that claim to help sensitive teeth, but few actually are effective. The important thing is to read the ingredients label, and if it does not contain potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride, it may not work to your satisfaction. Meanwhile, remember to observe all the preventive instructions mentioned earlier.
If the prescribed medicated toothpaste does not work, then see your dentist. He may then apply fluoride gel and other chemicals, if necessary. Also, depending on the dentist’s diagnosis, he or she would do bonding to cover the exposed tooth root, repairing cavities, selective filing of cusps to relieve grinding, etc.