Why do I feel a sharp sensation in my teeth?

An ice cold drink. A cup of hot tea. If you have sensitive teeth, everyday foods and drinks can unexpectedly trigger a jolt of sudden and sharp sensation. That short, sharp sensation is what people with tooth sensitivity experience.

Tooth sensitivity can occur in just 1 tooth—you don’t have to feel the sensation in every tooth to have sensitive teeth.

Signs of Tooth Sensitivity

Teeth sensitive to cold food and drinks

Sensitivity to cold food

Teeth sensitive to hot food and drinks

Sensitivity to hot food & drinks

Teeth sensitive to sweet food and drinks

Sensitivity to sweets

Teeth sensitive to sour food and drinks

Sensitivity to sour foods

Tips

How to deal with tooth sensitivity to food and drinks that are-

HotCold

Other Causes of Tooth Problems

Cavities & Tooth Decay

Unlike tooth sensitivity, discomfort in tooth caused by a cavity can range from a short sharp feeling to a dull ache. Ask your dentist to make a diagnosis.

Cracked tooth

Discomfort as a result of trauma (e.g. sports injuries) could be due to a fracture along the tooth. Ask your dentist to make a diagnosis.

Teeth Whitening

Bleaching treatments used to whiten your teeth at home can cause discomfort. Ask your dentist for professional advice on tooth whitening.

Jaw joint disorders

Excessive grinding or clenching of the jaw can cause discomfort in your jaw that can feel like tooth ache. A range of causes including stress have been linked to jaw joint disorders. Ask your dentist to make a diagnosis.

  • Cavities & Tooth Decay

    Unlike tooth sensitivity, tooth pain caused by a cavity can range from a short sharp feeling to a dull ache. Ask your dentist to make a diagnosis.1

  • Cracked tooth

    Tooth pain as a result of trauma (e.g. sports injuries) could be due to a fracture along the tooth. Ask your dentist to make a diagnosis.

  • Teeth Whitening

    Bleaching treatments used to whiten your teeth at home can cause you to experience tooth pain. Ask your dentist for professional advice on tooth whitening.2, 3

  • Jaw joint disorders

    Excessive grinding or clenching of the jaw can cause pain in your jaw, that can feel like tooth ache. A range of causes including stress have been linked to causing jaw joint disorders. Ask your dentist to make a diagnosis.