Pain in the teeth triggered by hot, cold, sweet or sour foods, drinks and brushing indicates sensitive teeth. The pain can be sharp, sudden and shoot deep into the teeth.

Teeth become sensitive when their outer protective covering the enamel is lost. This allows hot / cold substances to come in contact with open dentinal tubules and cause pain.This can happen because of faulty harsh brushing, habits such as tobacco chewing, excessive consumption of acidic substances such as pickles, carbonated drinks, ageing, cracked and chipped teeth, caries, hyperacidity and gum disease.

Sensitive teeth can make life miserable as the intense pain and discomfort makes hot, cold, sweet and sour food / drinks difficult to enjoy. The total quality of life is thus affected as routine procedures like brushing are hampered due to pain. Faulty brushing and inability to brush leads to accumulation of food debris and plaque. This can further worsen the sensitivity and lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

It is essential to consult a dentist for sensitive teeth, as the root cause of sensitivity can be analyzed and treated most effectively by him.