Dental complaint · Rotterdam West

Sensitive teeth? This is what you can do

A sharp twinge with a bite of ice cream, a sip of coffee or something sweet. Sensitive teeth are unpleasant, but often well treatable. Learn the causes, what you can do yourself and how Tandarts West, your dentist in Rotterdam West, helps you.

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Why do teeth become sensitive?

Your teeth are covered with a hard layer of enamel and, at the tooth neck, with gum. Underneath sits the dentine, with thousands of microscopic channels connected to the nerve. As long as the enamel and gum cover the dentine, you feel nothing. Once the dentine is exposed, stimuli such as cold, hot, sweet or sour reach the nerve and you feel a short, sharp twinge.

That exposure can have several causes: receding gums, wear of the enamel by acids (erosion) or by brushing too hard, and tooth grinding. Teeth can also be temporarily more sensitive after a professional cleaning or a whitening treatment. Usually sensitivity is harmless and well treatable.

At Tandarts West in Rotterdam West we find the cause together and tackle it in a targeted way. Read also how good habits prevent problems with your teeth, or about professional dental cleaning.

Finding the cause

What makes teeth sensitive?

Often several factors play a role. These are the best known.

Receding gums

When the gum recedes, the sensitive tooth neck becomes exposed. Often through gum inflammation or years of brushing too hard.

Wear and erosion

Acids from soft drinks, fruit juice, wine or stomach acid slowly dissolve the enamel. Hard scrubbing speeds this up, so the protective layer thins.

Grinding and cavities

Tooth grinding wears the enamel and causes small cracks. A cavity or leaking filling can also make a tooth sensitive.

Get started yourself

What you can do yourself

For mild sensitivity an adjusted routine often helps within a few weeks.

Brush gently

Use a soft brush and brush calmly along the gum line. Scrubbing damages enamel and gums.

The right toothpaste

Choose a toothpaste for sensitive teeth with fluoride and use it every day. Give it two to four weeks.

Smart with acid

Limit soft drinks and citrus. Wait at least 30 minutes after acid before brushing, rinse with water if needed.

Protect when grinding

Grinding at night? Ask about a splint that protects your teeth against wear.

Is the sensitivity persistent, severe, in one tooth, or does the pain linger after the stimulus is gone? Then make an appointment. This information is general guidance and does not replace personal advice from your dentist.

At Tandarts West

How we treat sensitive teeth

First find the cause, then relieve and protect in a targeted way.

Examination

We find the cause: exposed tooth necks, wear, grinding, a cavity or a crack.

Fluoride

A fluoride varnish strengthens the enamel and dampens the sensitivity of vulnerable spots.

Sealing

If needed we seal exposed tooth necks with a thin layer of composite, so stimuli do not reach the nerve.

Tackle the cause

A splint for grinding, treatment for receding gums, or restoration of a cavity or crack.

Cost

What does the treatment of sensitive teeth cost?

The NZa sets the rates. The cost depends on the cause and the treatment needed.

Examination and fluoride

NZa rate

Consultation + possibly fluoride varnish

Determine the cause
Fluoride to strengthen enamel
Personal brushing advice

Plan an appointment

Targeted treatment

NZa rate

Sealing, splint or restoration

Estimate in advance for larger treatment
Under 18 covered by basic insurance
Payment in instalments possible via Infomedics

See the rates

Patients under 18: examination and treatment covered by basic insurance. For adults via supplementary dental insurance. Questions about cost?

Frequently asked questions

Sensitive teeth · frequently asked questions

Why do I have sensitive teeth?

Because the dentine under the enamel becomes exposed. The dentine has tiny channels to the nerve, so cold, hot or sweet causes pain. Causes are receding gums, enamel wear, brushing too hard and grinding.

What can I do myself about sensitive teeth?

Brush gently with a soft brush, use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth with fluoride, wait 30 minutes after acid before brushing and limit acidic products. If this does not help after a few weeks, make an appointment.

Does toothpaste for sensitive teeth really help?

For many people, yes. It seals the channels in the dentine or dampens the nerve stimulus, plus fluoride strengthens the enamel. Give it two to four weeks of daily use.

Are sensitive teeth a sign of something serious?

Usually not. Persistent, severe or spontaneous pain, sensitivity in one tooth or pain that lingers after the stimulus is gone can point to a cavity, a crack or an inflamed nerve. Have that assessed.

How does Tandarts West treat sensitive teeth?

We find the cause and can seal exposed tooth necks, apply fluoride varnish or tackle the cause, such as a splint for grinding. With a cavity or crack we restore the tooth.

Can whitening cause sensitive teeth?

Teeth can be temporarily more sensitive after whitening, which usually fades within a few days. With a professional whitening treatment we take this into account and give advice.

Rid of that sensitive feeling?

We find the cause and relieve your complaint in a targeted way. Register as a new patient, usually without a waiting list.