Do your teeth sting when enjoying a cold dessert or sipping hot coffee? Does brushing, flossing, or even breathing in cold air cause sharp pain? If so, you’re likely dealing with tooth sensitivity — a common dental issue we frequently treat at our dental clinic.
While it might start as a mild irritation, sensitivity can begin to affect your daily routine and quality of life. The good news? Relief is possible — but understanding what’s behind the pain is key.
Tooth sensitivity can affect anyone, regardless of age. Here are some quick facts:
- You may feel sharp or lingering pain when eating or drinking something cold, hot, sweet, or acidic.
- Even brushing or flossing can trigger discomfort.
- Common causes include worn enamel, gum recession, or exposed tooth roots.
While home remedies offer short-term relief, ongoing sensitivity may signal a deeper problem.The right treatment depends on identifying the cause, from minor enamel wear to more serious dental condition.
Quick Relief for Tooth Sensitivity Before Your Dental Visit
If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity and can’t get to the dentist right away, a number of over-the-counter products can help reduce pain and discomfort in the meantime.These options may help reduce pain and inflammation.Try the following:
- Desensitising toothpaste
- Fluoride gel or rinse
- Pain relief medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol
- Topical numbing gels
- Soft-bristled toothbrushes for gentle brushing
These are not long-term solutions, but they can help manage the discomfort temporarily.
Sensitive Teeth: Why They Hurt and How to Stop the Pain
Tooth sensitivity typically occurs when the protective enamel on your teeth wears away or your gums recede, exposing the dentin underneath. This layer contains tiny tubules that connect to the nerve of your tooth, which is why you feel pain when they’re stimulated.
Common causes include:
- Brushing too Hard
- Tooth Decay
- Cracked Teeth
- Gum Disease
- Eat Acidic Foods
- Teeth Grinding
- Excessive Plaque
- Dental Surgeries
7 Home Remedies for Sensitive Teeth Pain
Here are some quick and easy home remedies suggested by Claremont dentist , that will help you get rid of sensitive teeth pain.
1. Coconut Oil Pulling
Take 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, swish it in your mouth. Keep doing the same procedure for 15 to 20 minutes and spit it out. Rinse your mouth with water. Do this procedure once daily that will help you reduce the pain.
2. Avoid Foods and Drinks Which are Highly Acidic
Avoid acidic foods and drinks like soda, high-sugar carbs, candy, etc. Also, please make sure that don’t brush immediately after eating acidic foods.
3. Salt Water Rinse
Mix small teaspoon salt to one glass of warm water. Swish this solution for 30 seconds and spit it out. Doing it twice daily helps to reduce inflammation..
4. Honey with warm water
Add 1 tablespoon of honey into a glass of warm water. Rinse your mouth with this solution to reduce the pain from sensitive teeth. Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to speed healing, reduce pain, inflammation and swelling
5. Wear a Mouth Guard to Avoid Teeth Grinding
If you grind your teeth at night then it can cause the sensitive teeth as it can wear away a tooth enamel. A mouth guard is the best option to avoid teeth grinding. You can consult your dentist regarding the same.
You may like to read: What happens during a grinding teeth treatment?
6. Garlic
Add few drops of water and pinch of salt into 1 crushed garlic clove. Apply this mixture to the affected tooth. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash it off with water. Do it once daily.
7. Use Fluoride Mouthwash
Rinse your mouth with a small cup of fluoride mouthwash. Swish it for 1 to 2 minutes and then spit it out. Do this twice daily.
Does a sensitive tooth mean infection?
Not always, but it can. Tooth sensitivity is often caused by enamel erosion or gum recession, which expose the underlying dentin and make your teeth more reactive to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli. These issues can usually be managed with non-invasive treatments.However, in some cases, sensitivity can be a warning sign of a deeper problem, such as a cracked tooth, tooth decay, or a tooth infection
- How to Tell If It Might Be an Infection:
- The pain is throbbing, persistent, or worsens over time
- You notice swelling, pus, or a bad taste in your mouth
- The sensitivity spreads to the jaw, ear, or side of your face
- You feel pain even when not eating or drinking
These symptoms may indicate an abscessed tooth or another type of dental infection that needs urgent attention from an emergency dentist. Left untreated, infections can spread and lead to serious health complications, so it’s important to book an urgent dental appointment as soon as possible
If you’re experiencing severe, ongoing sensitivity, don’t wait — book an appointment with your Claremont dentist at Ashton Avenue Dental. We’ll perform a thorough exam and get to the root of the problem before it worsens.
Consult Your Dentist
There are many home remedies for teeth sensitivity that you can use to get relief. However, professional and permanent solutions are recommended. If you not get relief from the pain after trying any home remedies, you may need to discuss your problem with your dentist. If you are located near Perth, Nedlands ,Swanbourne then you can visit experienced Dentist near you at Ashton Avenue Dental Practice. We are a dentist practice located in Claremont, serving patients from the local and surrounding suburbs since 1996. As a Claremont dentist, we are committed to providing high-quality dental care to the community.
Ashton Avenue Dental Practice
2 Ashton Avenue, Claremont, Western Australia, 6010.
Call: 08 6120 1822
When Should I See My Dentist for Tooth Sensitivity?
Home remedies and over-the-counter products can provide temporary relief for mild tooth sensitivity, but they don’t always address the root cause. If your discomfort is persistent, worsening, or affecting your quality of life, it’s time to speak with a dental professional.
At Ashton Avenue Dental Practice in Claremont, our experienced team of dentists and oral health experts is here to help. We offer a full range of dental services.Whether your sensitivity is due to enamel erosion, gum recession, or something more serious like an infection or cracked tooth, we’ll get to the root of the problem and tailor a treatment plan that works for you.
