Teeth can be sensitive for many reasons.
Pressure
Sensitivity to chewing pressure can be caused by:
Sweets
Sensitivity to sweet foods is usually
caused by decay.
Hot and/or Cold
Sensitivity
to hot and/or cold foods usually indicates:
It is not unusual for recent dental restorations to be sensitive
to hot, cold, or pressure. This sensitivity should decrease
with time. If sensitivity from a recent dental restoration
worsens or persists, contact your dentist.
Whitening
Whitening can also temporarily
cause mild sensitivity during treatment that disappears
within a few days.
Toothache
Sensitivity due to a dental problem will worsen with time
and become a toothache. A toothache is not like a headache.
It won't just go away, even if the pain temporarily subsides.
The problem that is causing the pain will just get worse,
as will the pain, and simple treatment may no longer be possible.
(See our pages on cavities, root
canals, abscesses, and extractions
to see how a cavity progresses from a minor to a major problem).
At the first sign of a toothache, contact your dentist.
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