QUESTION: Dental health: what to do if you have tooth sensitivity?

Increased tooth sensitivity, or hyperesthesia, is an unpleasant problem that causes sharp, short-term pain when exposed to cold, hot, sour, or sweet stimuli. This symptom most often indicates that the protective enamel layer has thinned or dentin has become exposed—the inner layer of the tooth, penetrated by microscopic tubules leading to nerve endings. The causes of thinning can vary: from incorrect brushing technique with a hard brush to bruxism, tooth decay, or enamel erosion.

When tooth sensitivity occurs, the first step should be to consult a dentist to determine the exact cause and rule out hidden pathologies such as cervical caries or cracks. The doctor will perform an examination, assess the condition of the tooth tissues, and, if necessary, cover the problem areas with special protective varnishes or gels with a high content of fluorine and calcium. Professional fluoride coatings help quickly seal the dentin micro-tubules and significantly reduce pain.

At home, to combat sensitivity, you need to adjust your personal hygiene habits. You should abandon aggressive whitening pastes with high abrasiveness, which only worsen the problem by wearing away the weakened enamel. Instead, you should use specialized toothpastes for sensitive teeth that contain active components that block the transmission of pain impulses and help strengthen the tooth structure.