Having sensitive teeth is a really common problem and affects millions of people every day. It could wake you up in the middle of the night or make you wince when you are eating or drinking anything hot or cold, bringing on a sudden, sharp pain associated with sensitivity. This could be an early warning sign of more serious dental problems.

Teeth are not usually sensitive, but when the enamel (as pictured below) is worn away or the gums recede (shrink back), the dentine (the layer underneath the enamel) will become exposed. Dentine contains tiny holes which run through to the nerves which can therefore lead to sensitivity or pain.