15 March 2026 · 5 min read
Exposed dentine
When enamel wears or gums recede, microscopic tubules leading to the nerve are exposed. Cold and sweet stimuli travel down them and produce a sharp, short pain.
Brushing too hard
A hard brush and heavy pressure abrade the tooth at the gum line and push the gum upwards. Switch to a soft brush, hold it like a pen, and let the bristles do the work.
Acid erosion
Fizzy drinks, citrus, vinegar and reflux dissolve enamel. Do not brush for thirty minutes after anything acidic — rinse with water instead.
When it is something more
Pain that lingers for more than thirty seconds after cold, or wakes you at night, suggests the nerve is inflamed. That needs an examination and possibly root canal treatment, not desensitising toothpaste.