{"id":30962,"date":"2026-06-23T15:58:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T13:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gloss-floss.se\/?page_id=30962"},"modified":"2026-06-23T15:58:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T13:58:08","slug":"why-are-my-teeth-sensitive","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.gloss-floss.se\/en\/gloss-floss-answers\/why-are-my-teeth-sensitive\/","title":{"rendered":"Why are my teeth sensitive?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Gloss & Floss Answers \u00b7 Oral Health & Prevention<\/p>\n\n

Why are my teeth sensitive?<\/h1>\n\n

\n Author: Gloss & Floss Dental Care\u00ae \u00b7 Clinically reviewed by a dentist at Gloss & Floss Dental Care\u00ae\n <\/p>\n\n

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Short answer<\/h2>\n

Teeth are often sensitive because dentin is exposed or the tooth nerve is reacting to cold, heat, sweets, acids, brushing or biting pressure. Common causes include gum recession, enamel wear, tooth grinding, acidic drinks, whitening, cavities, leaking fillings, cracked teeth and recent dental treatment. Occasional mild sensitivity can be temporary, but sensitivity that is strong, persistent, affects one tooth or is linked to pain when biting should be checked by a dentist.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n

Why tooth sensitivity matters<\/h2>\n

Tooth sensitivity can feel like a quick sharp zing, cold shock, electric feeling or brief pain that disappears when the trigger is removed. In many cases, the cause is exposed dentin or enamel wear. In other cases, sensitivity can be an early sign of decay, a crack, a leaking filling or nerve irritation.<\/p>\n

The important question is not only whether the tooth feels sensitive, but why it is sensitive. The right treatment depends on the cause.<\/p>\n\n

Common causes of sensitive teeth<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Possible cause<\/th>\n Typical signs<\/th>\n Why it matters<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
Gum recession<\/td>\n Sensitivity near the gumline, especially to cold air, brushing or cold drinks.<\/td>\n Exposed root surfaces do not have the same enamel protection as the tooth crown.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Enamel wear or erosion<\/td>\n Sensitivity to cold, sweets or acidic drinks, sometimes with thinner or shinier enamel.<\/td>\n Acids, grinding or abrasion can expose more sensitive tooth structure.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Cavity or leaking filling<\/td>\n Sensitivity in one tooth, often with sweets, cold, pressure or food trapping.<\/td>\n Decay or microleakage can irritate the tooth and may progress if untreated.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Cracked tooth<\/td>\n Sharp pain when biting, releasing the bite or chewing in a certain direction.<\/td>\n A crack may be difficult to see and can worsen if not diagnosed early.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Whitening or recent cleaning<\/td>\n Temporary sensitivity after bleaching, scaling or professional cleaning.<\/td>\n Often temporary, but persistent or severe sensitivity should be assessed.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Tooth grinding or clenching<\/td>\n Morning soreness, worn edges, jaw tension or sensitivity in several teeth.<\/td>\n Repeated force can stress enamel, dentin, fillings and the tooth nerve.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n

What triggers sensitive teeth?<\/h2>\n