13 sept. 2026

Tooth Sensitivity: Why Your Teeth React to Cold and Heat — and How to Fix It

Retour aux blogs

13 sept. 2026

Tooth Sensitivity: Why Your Teeth React to Cold and Heat — and How to Fix It

Retour aux blogs

That sharp, electric twinge when you bite into ice cream or sip a cold drink is one of the most common complaints we hear at INIMA Dental Clinic Marbella. Tooth sensitivity affects up to one in three adults — and it is almost always a message that something is exposing the inner, living part of your tooth.

The good news: sensitivity is highly treatable, and treating it early often prevents bigger problems later. In this article we explain why it happens, which symptoms deserve a check-up, and how we stop the pain at its source.

Tooth Sensitivity: Why Your Teeth React to Cold and Heat — and How to Fix It

That sharp, electric twinge when you bite into ice cream or sip a cold drink is one of the most common complaints we hear at INIMA Dental Clinic Marbella. Tooth sensitivity affects up to one in three adults — and it is almost always a message that something is exposing the inner, living part of your tooth.

The good news: sensitivity is highly treatable, and treating it early often prevents bigger problems later. In this article we explain why it happens, which symptoms deserve a check-up, and how we stop the pain at its source.

What Is Tooth Sensitivity?

Underneath the hard enamel that covers your teeth lies dentin, a softer tissue crossed by thousands of microscopic channels that lead directly to the nerve. While enamel is intact and gums sit where they should, the nerve is insulated. When dentin becomes exposed — by worn enamel or receding gums — cold, heat, sweet foods or even a breath of air can stimulate the nerve, producing that characteristic short, sharp pain.

Dentists call it dentin hypersensitivity. Patients simply call it "my teeth hurt with cold".

Why Do Teeth Become Sensitive?

Enamel erosion: acidic food and drink — citrus, soft drinks, wine, vinegar — gradually dissolve enamel. Acid reflux has the same effect from the inside. Once enamel thins, the dentin underneath starts to feel everything.
Gum recession: when gums recede they expose the root of the tooth, which has no enamel covering at all. Recession may be caused by gum disease, but also by brushing too hard with a stiff toothbrush.
Bruxism: grinding and clenching wear down enamel and can create tiny cracks and notches at the gumline. If your sensitivity comes with jaw tension or morning headaches, bruxism is a prime suspect.
Whitening and dental treatments: some sensitivity after teeth whitening or a deep cleaning is normal and temporary. Professionally supervised whitening keeps it to a minimum; aggressive over-the-counter products often do not.
Decay, cracks and worn fillings: a cavity, a cracked tooth or a leaking old filling can all present as sensitivity long before they cause constant pain. This is why "just sensitivity" should never be self-diagnosed for months on end.

Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Occasional mild sensitivity is common. You should book a check-up if you notice:

Pain that lingers for more than a few seconds after the stimulus is gone.
Sensitivity localised to one specific tooth.
Pain when biting or chewing.
Sensitivity accompanied by bleeding gums or visible recession.
A tooth that has become sensitive suddenly, without any change in habits.

Lingering or localised pain can indicate that the nerve is inflamed — and the earlier we intervene, the simpler the treatment.

Diagnosing Sensitivity at the Clinic

At INIMA we start by finding the cause, not just silencing the symptom. A clinical examination, digital X-rays where needed, and a review of your habits — diet, brushing technique, signs of grinding — usually identify the origin quickly. Distinguishing simple dentin hypersensitivity from early decay, a crack or nerve inflammation is the key step, because each has a different solution.

Tooth Sensitivity Treatment

Desensitising products: for mild cases, professional-strength desensitising toothpastes and clinic-applied agents seal the microscopic channels in the dentin, cutting the transmission of stimuli to the nerve.
Fluoride and protective varnishes: in-clinic varnishes strengthen enamel and reduce sensitivity in targeted areas — a quick, painless treatment often combined with your regular hygiene visit.
Composite bonding: where enamel is worn or the root surface is exposed, a thin layer of composite resin can cover and protect the area. Minimally invasive, immediate, and aesthetically seamless.
Gum treatment: if recession is the cause, treating the underlying gum problem comes first. In selected cases, gum grafting can cover exposed roots and restore both comfort and aesthetics.
Night guard for bruxism: when grinding is behind the sensitivity, a custom occlusal splint protects your enamel every night and relieves the muscles and joints as well.

How to Prevent Sensitive Teeth

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, circular strokes — pressure does not clean better, it just wears more.
Choose a fluoride toothpaste, and a desensitising one if you are prone to twinges.
Wait 30 minutes to brush after acidic food or drinks, and rinse with water in the meantime.
Keep acidic drinks occasional, and use a straw when you have them.
Never skip your regular check-ups — most causes of sensitivity are easy to fix when caught early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tooth sensitivity permanent? No. Once the cause is identified and treated, the vast majority of patients recover full comfort. Even long-standing sensitivity usually responds well to the right combination of treatments.

Can I still whiten my teeth if they are sensitive? Usually yes. We first treat the sensitivity and choose a whitening protocol adapted to your enamel, with desensitising agents before and after. One more reason to whiten under professional supervision.

Does sensitivity mean I have a cavity? Not necessarily — but it can. Generalised sensitivity is usually enamel wear or recession, while sensitivity in one specific tooth deserves an examination to rule out decay or a crack.

Tooth Sensitivity Treatment in Marbella: Personalised Care at INIMA

At INIMA Dental Clinic we look for the reason behind your sensitivity instead of handing you a tube of toothpaste and hoping for the best. Whether the answer is a protective varnish, discreet composite bonding, gum treatment or a night guard, your plan is designed for your teeth — and delivered in English, Spanish or Russian, in the calm, unhurried environment our patients in Marbella know us for.

Cold drinks, ice cream and a deep breath of winter air should not hurt. If your teeth react when they shouldn't, let's solve it at the source.

Book your consultation at INIMA Dental Clinic Marbella: Request an appointment · hello@inima.dental · (+34) 690 006 845

That sharp, electric twinge when you bite into ice cream or sip a cold drink is one of the most common complaints we hear at INIMA Dental Clinic Marbella. Tooth sensitivity affects up to one in three adults — and it is almost always a message that something is exposing the inner, living part of your tooth.

The good news: sensitivity is highly treatable, and treating it early often prevents bigger problems later. In this article we explain why it happens, which symptoms deserve a check-up, and how we stop the pain at its source.

Tooth Sensitivity: Why Your Teeth React to Cold and Heat — and How to Fix It

That sharp, electric twinge when you bite into ice cream or sip a cold drink is one of the most common complaints we hear at INIMA Dental Clinic Marbella. Tooth sensitivity affects up to one in three adults — and it is almost always a message that something is exposing the inner, living part of your tooth.

The good news: sensitivity is highly treatable, and treating it early often prevents bigger problems later. In this article we explain why it happens, which symptoms deserve a check-up, and how we stop the pain at its source.

What Is Tooth Sensitivity?

Underneath the hard enamel that covers your teeth lies dentin, a softer tissue crossed by thousands of microscopic channels that lead directly to the nerve. While enamel is intact and gums sit where they should, the nerve is insulated. When dentin becomes exposed — by worn enamel or receding gums — cold, heat, sweet foods or even a breath of air can stimulate the nerve, producing that characteristic short, sharp pain.

Dentists call it dentin hypersensitivity. Patients simply call it "my teeth hurt with cold".

Why Do Teeth Become Sensitive?

Enamel erosion: acidic food and drink — citrus, soft drinks, wine, vinegar — gradually dissolve enamel. Acid reflux has the same effect from the inside. Once enamel thins, the dentin underneath starts to feel everything.
Gum recession: when gums recede they expose the root of the tooth, which has no enamel covering at all. Recession may be caused by gum disease, but also by brushing too hard with a stiff toothbrush.
Bruxism: grinding and clenching wear down enamel and can create tiny cracks and notches at the gumline. If your sensitivity comes with jaw tension or morning headaches, bruxism is a prime suspect.
Whitening and dental treatments: some sensitivity after teeth whitening or a deep cleaning is normal and temporary. Professionally supervised whitening keeps it to a minimum; aggressive over-the-counter products often do not.
Decay, cracks and worn fillings: a cavity, a cracked tooth or a leaking old filling can all present as sensitivity long before they cause constant pain. This is why "just sensitivity" should never be self-diagnosed for months on end.

Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Occasional mild sensitivity is common. You should book a check-up if you notice:

Pain that lingers for more than a few seconds after the stimulus is gone.
Sensitivity localised to one specific tooth.
Pain when biting or chewing.
Sensitivity accompanied by bleeding gums or visible recession.
A tooth that has become sensitive suddenly, without any change in habits.

Lingering or localised pain can indicate that the nerve is inflamed — and the earlier we intervene, the simpler the treatment.

Diagnosing Sensitivity at the Clinic

At INIMA we start by finding the cause, not just silencing the symptom. A clinical examination, digital X-rays where needed, and a review of your habits — diet, brushing technique, signs of grinding — usually identify the origin quickly. Distinguishing simple dentin hypersensitivity from early decay, a crack or nerve inflammation is the key step, because each has a different solution.

Tooth Sensitivity Treatment

Desensitising products: for mild cases, professional-strength desensitising toothpastes and clinic-applied agents seal the microscopic channels in the dentin, cutting the transmission of stimuli to the nerve.
Fluoride and protective varnishes: in-clinic varnishes strengthen enamel and reduce sensitivity in targeted areas — a quick, painless treatment often combined with your regular hygiene visit.
Composite bonding: where enamel is worn or the root surface is exposed, a thin layer of composite resin can cover and protect the area. Minimally invasive, immediate, and aesthetically seamless.
Gum treatment: if recession is the cause, treating the underlying gum problem comes first. In selected cases, gum grafting can cover exposed roots and restore both comfort and aesthetics.
Night guard for bruxism: when grinding is behind the sensitivity, a custom occlusal splint protects your enamel every night and relieves the muscles and joints as well.

How to Prevent Sensitive Teeth

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, circular strokes — pressure does not clean better, it just wears more.
Choose a fluoride toothpaste, and a desensitising one if you are prone to twinges.
Wait 30 minutes to brush after acidic food or drinks, and rinse with water in the meantime.
Keep acidic drinks occasional, and use a straw when you have them.
Never skip your regular check-ups — most causes of sensitivity are easy to fix when caught early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tooth sensitivity permanent? No. Once the cause is identified and treated, the vast majority of patients recover full comfort. Even long-standing sensitivity usually responds well to the right combination of treatments.

Can I still whiten my teeth if they are sensitive? Usually yes. We first treat the sensitivity and choose a whitening protocol adapted to your enamel, with desensitising agents before and after. One more reason to whiten under professional supervision.

Does sensitivity mean I have a cavity? Not necessarily — but it can. Generalised sensitivity is usually enamel wear or recession, while sensitivity in one specific tooth deserves an examination to rule out decay or a crack.

Tooth Sensitivity Treatment in Marbella: Personalised Care at INIMA

At INIMA Dental Clinic we look for the reason behind your sensitivity instead of handing you a tube of toothpaste and hoping for the best. Whether the answer is a protective varnish, discreet composite bonding, gum treatment or a night guard, your plan is designed for your teeth — and delivered in English, Spanish or Russian, in the calm, unhurried environment our patients in Marbella know us for.

Cold drinks, ice cream and a deep breath of winter air should not hurt. If your teeth react when they shouldn't, let's solve it at the source.

Book your consultation at INIMA Dental Clinic Marbella: Request an appointment · hello@inima.dental · (+34) 690 006 845