Many people suffer from sensitive teeth, particularly as we get into middle age and beyond.
In part, this is because over time our tooth enamel begins to wear, exposing the softer inner dentin of the tooth which contains thousands of microscopic nerves. Once these nerves are exposed, triggers such as exposure to hot and cold temperatures can result in sharp jolts of tooth sensitivity.
Another common cause of tooth sensitivity is receding gums. As the gum line recedes, the roots of your tooth gradually become exposed. Since there is no protective enamel on the tooth roots, the sensitive nerves in your tooth are exposed to triggers such as sugar and hot or cold temperatures.
Damage caused by tooth decay or trauma such as a broken tooth can also expose tooth nerves and lead to pain.
Depending on the cause of your tooth sensitivity, your general dentist may be able to provide treatment options to help reduce the pain and discomfort of this condition.