---
title: "Tooth Sensitivity: Causes and Treatment | El Nabi Dental"
description: "Why teeth hurt with cold water or sweets, sensitivity after a filling, whitening or cleaning, what helps at home and when to see a dentist in Maadi, Cairo."
url: https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/faq/tooth-sensitivity-causes-treatment/
language: en
alternate: https://elnabidentalclinic.com/ar/faq/tooth-sensitivity-causes-treatment/
last_updated: 2026-10-21
---

FAQ · General dental care

# Why are my teeth sensitive, and how is tooth sensitivity treated?

Short answer

Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by exposed dentine, the layer under the enamel, after gum recession, enamel wear, decay, a cracked tooth or a leaking filling. A short, sharp twinge to cold that fades in seconds often improves with a sensitive-teeth toothpaste used for a few weeks. Pain that lingers, throbs or comes on its own needs a dental check, because it can signal a nerve problem.

Medically reviewed by [Prof. Nouran Abdel Nabi](https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/dr-nouran-abdel-nabi/) · Last reviewed 19 October 2026

That sudden, sharp twinge when you drink cold water, bite into ice cream or breathe in cold air is one of the most common reasons people visit a dentist. In most cases **tooth sensitivity happens because dentine, the softer layer under the enamel, has become exposed**. Dentine contains thousands of tiny tubes that lead towards the nerve, so cold, heat, sweet or sour foods can trigger a quick flash of pain.

The good news is that ordinary sensitivity is usually manageable. The important part is telling the difference between harmless sensitivity and pain that signals decay, a crack or an inflamed nerve.

## What causes tooth sensitivity?

The American Dental Association lists tooth decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn enamel and exposed roots as common causes ([ADA MouthHealthy: sensitive teeth](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/sensitive-teeth)). This table explains how each one typically feels:

| Cause | How it typically feels | What usually helps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gum recession exposing the roots | Sharp twinge to cold near the gum line, often on several teeth | Sensitive toothpaste, gentle brushing, varnish or bonding; gum graft in some cases |
| Enamel wear (hard brushing, acidic drinks, grinding) | Sensitivity on biting edges or along the gum line | Change habits, sensitive toothpaste, bonding, a night guard for grinding |
| Tooth decay | Sensitivity to sweets or cold on one tooth | A filling |
| Cracked tooth | Sharp pain on biting or on releasing the bite | Examination; often a crown |
| Leaking or worn filling | Sensitivity around an old filling | Replacing the filling |
| After a filling, whitening or cleaning | Temporary sensitivity, settling over days to weeks | Time, sensitive toothpaste, follow-up if not improving |
| Inflamed nerve (pulpitis) | Pain that lingers, throbs or wakes you at night | Urgent dental assessment; sometimes root canal treatment |

## Why are my teeth sensitive to cold water?

Cold is the most common trigger because it makes the fluid inside the dentine tubes move quickly, which the nerve senses as a sharp pain. If the pain lasts only a few seconds after the cold is gone, it usually comes from exposed dentine. If it lingers for more than about 30 seconds, or you have to stop eating on that side, the nerve itself may be inflamed and the tooth should be checked soon.

## Sensitivity after a filling, whitening or cleaning

### Sensitivity after a filling

It is common for a newly filled tooth to be sensitive to cold or to biting for a few days to a few weeks, especially after a deep filling. It should get steadily better. See your dentist if it is getting worse, if the tooth hurts when you bite down (the filling may be slightly high), or if you develop throbbing or night pain. A filling that is high on the bite is a quick adjustment.

### Sensitivity after whitening

Whitening gels can cause temporary sensitivity during treatment and for a short time afterwards. Spacing out sessions and using a sensitive toothpaste usually helps. Our page [is teeth whitening safe?](https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/faq/is-teeth-whitening-safe/) covers this in more detail.

### Sensitivity after scaling

Root surfaces that were covered by tartar are suddenly exposed after cleaning. This usually calms down within days to a few weeks as the gums heal. More in [teeth scaling and cleaning](https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/faq/teeth-scaling-cleaning/).

## How to treat sensitive teeth at home

1. **Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth** twice a day. Products usually contain potassium nitrate, stannous fluoride or arginine. It usually takes several uses, often a few weeks, before you feel a difference, so give it time.
2. **Spit, don't rinse** after brushing. You can also smear a little toothpaste on the sensitive area before bed.
3. **Brush gently** with a soft brush and small circular movements; avoid hard scrubbing at the gum line.
4. **Reduce acidic drinks and foods** such as soft drinks, juices, lemon and vinegar, and don't brush straight after them; wait about an hour.
5. **Avoid whitening toothpastes** and charcoal powders while your teeth are sensitive.
6. **If you grind your teeth**, mention it to your dentist; a night guard can protect the enamel.

## In-clinic treatments for tooth sensitivity

When home care is not enough, or the cause needs fixing, the dentist can:

- Apply a **fluoride varnish or desensitising agent** to the exposed areas.
- Cover exposed roots or worn areas with **tooth-coloured bonding**.
- Replace a **leaking or worn filling**, or place a **crown** on a cracked tooth.
- Refer for a **gum graft** where recession is significant.
- Consider **root canal treatment** only if severe, persistent sensitivity comes from an inflamed nerve and other measures have not worked.

## When tooth sensitivity is a sign of a problem

See a dentist promptly if you notice any of these:

- Pain that lingers long after the hot or cold is gone, or that throbs.
- Pain that starts on its own or wakes you at night (see [toothache at night](https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/faq/tooth-pain-at-night-relief/)).
- Sharp pain when biting on one tooth.
- Swelling of the gum or face, or a bad taste.
- Sensitivity limited to one tooth that has not improved after two to three weeks of sensitive toothpaste.

These point to decay, a crack or nerve inflammation rather than simple exposed dentine, and they are much easier to treat early.

## How Prof. Nouran approaches sensitive teeth

Many patients have spent months switching toothpastes, or avoid cold drinks altogether, without anyone explaining why the teeth are sensitive. At El Nabi Dental Clinic in Maadi, Prof. Nouran first finds the cause: she checks for recession, worn enamel, cracks, leaking fillings and the way your teeth meet when you bite. The aim is the most conservative fix that works, so a sound tooth is not drilled or crowned without a clear reason. You leave knowing what is causing the sensitivity and what your options are.

If one tooth has been bothering you for weeks, send us a message on WhatsApp to arrange a check, or read about what an examination includes on our [general dentistry](https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/services/general-dentistry/) page.

![Prof. Nouran Abdel Nabi](https://elnabidentalclinic.com/assets/img/photos/nouran-avatar-80.webp)

Recognise yourself in this?

Send us a message or a photo of your X-ray on WhatsApp. Prof. Nouran will look at your case and give you a clear plan, with no pressure to start.

## Related questions

- [Does teeth scaling damage your teeth, and how much does it cost in Egypt?](https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/faq/teeth-scaling-cleaning/)
- [Is teeth whitening safe? Does it damage enamel?](https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/faq/is-teeth-whitening-safe/)
- [Why does my tooth hurt more at night, and how can I relieve severe toothache?](https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/faq/tooth-pain-at-night-relief/)
- [How much does teeth whitening cost in Egypt, and is laser or home whitening better?](https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/faq/teeth-whitening-cost-laser-home/)

Book a consultation

Take the first step without any pressure

Send us a message or a photo of your X-ray on WhatsApp. Prof. Nouran will examine you, explain your options and give you a written estimate, and the decision stays yours.

[Call now](tel:+201554361239)
[WhatsApp](https://wa.me/201554361239)

+20 15 5436 1239

## Related treatments

[General & family dentistry
Many people only see a dentist when something hurts, and by then a small problem has often become a bigger, costlier one.
Read more](https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/services/general-dentistry/)

## Take the first step without any pressure

Send us a message or a photo of your X-ray on WhatsApp. Prof. Nouran will examine you, explain your options and give you a written estimate, and the decision stays yours.

---

- Clinic: El Nabi Dental Clinic, 5 East of the Highway (Autostrad), Golden Gate Tower, above Healthy Pharmacy, 5th Floor, No. 16, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
- Dentist: Prof. Dr. Nouran Mahmoud Abdel Nabi, Professor of Prosthodontics and Dental Implants, Cairo University
- Phone / WhatsApp: +20 15 5436 1239
- Google Maps: https://maps.google.com/?cid=15529385218100893759
- Last updated: 2026-10-21
- Page URL: https://elnabidentalclinic.com/en/faq/tooth-sensitivity-causes-treatment/
- Arabic version: https://elnabidentalclinic.com/ar/faq/tooth-sensitivity-causes-treatment/