한국어 
简体中文 SYMPTOM · SENSITIVITY
My teeth are sensitive
Why do my teeth hurt with cold water or sweets?
The short answer
Why do my teeth hurt with cold water or sweets?
Tooth sensitivity happens because the dentin inside the tooth has become exposed (gum recession, wear at the neck of the tooth), or because a cavity or crack lets stimuli reach the nerve. If a tooth twinges briefly with something cold and settles right away, it is usually managed conservatively. But if it also hurts with hot things, or throbs even without any stimulus, nerve inflammation should be suspected and checked quickly.
When your teeth are sensitive, what are the common causes?
- 01
Gum recession · wear at the neck of the tooth Glossary (Korean) →
When the gums recede and expose the root side of the tooth, or hard brushing wears a groove into the neck of the tooth, the dentin is exposed and becomes sensitive. This is the most common cause from the 30s onward.
- 02
Early cavity Glossary (Korean) →
A cavity that has passed through the enamel into the dentin is sensitive to sweet and cold things. Even if it looks small from the outside, it may have spread widely inside.
- 03
Cracked tooth Glossary (Korean) →
If only one particular tooth gives a sharp twinge when you bite and is sensitive to cold, it may be a crack that is hard to see. It is related to tooth grinding and to habits of eating hard foods.
- 04
Edges of old prostheses and fillings
When the edge of a resin filling, inlay or crown opens up, or a secondary cavity forms underneath it, sensitivity begins.
- 05
Right after whitening or scaling Glossary (Korean) →
Teeth can be temporarily sensitive for a few days after whitening and for 1–2 weeks after scaling. This usually settles on its own.
- 06
Tooth grinding · clenching Glossary (Korean) →
When large forces are repeatedly placed on the teeth, the necks of the teeth wear away and the teeth become sensitive overall.
Come in right away, without putting it off, if
- It is sensitive to hot things, and the pain lasts 30 seconds or more after the stimulus is gone
- It throbs even without any stimulus, or hurts more at night
- Only one particular tooth gives a sharp twinge when you bite
- The gums are swollen or pus comes out
Call us during opening hours 02-877-2867 · If swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow, go to an emergency room first.
How does Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon check it?
- 1
We ask which tooth is sensitive, to what stimulus, and for how long. These three questions narrow down the cause by about half.
- 2
Q-ray quantitative light-induced fluorescence checks for cavities and cracks as data. Early cavities and cracks that the eye cannot see show up through their fluorescence response.
- 3
X-rays show the depth of a cavity, its distance to the nerve, and the condition under existing prostheses.
- 4
Cold tests and percussion tests check whether the nerve is alive and whether the inflammation is reversible.
How our equipment works is explained on the equipment page.
Which treatment does it lead to?
- Cavity treatment → When a cavity, crack or filling problem is the cause. If it has reached the nerve, it leads on to root canal treatment.
- Gum treatment → When gum recession or tartar is the cause. Exposed roots are covered with a desensitizing treatment or resin.
- TMJ · tooth grinding → When teeth are sensitive overall from clenching or grinding, we consider an occlusal splint.
What can I do at home before my appointment?
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, from the gums toward the teeth. A habit of scrubbing hard from side to side is the main cause of wear at the neck of the tooth.
- Using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth consistently for 2–4 weeks often eases mild hypersensitivity.
- Right after drinking acidic drinks such as fizzy drinks or fruit juice, wait about 30 minutes before brushing.
- If a tooth on one side gives a sharp twinge when you bite, do not chew hard things on that side and get it checked. Cracks do not heal on their own.
Frequently asked questions
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Q1. Will sensitive teeth get better if I just leave them?
Temporary sensitivity right after scaling or whitening usually settles. But if a cavity, crack or gum recession is the cause, it does not improve on its own and progresses. If it lasts more than 2 weeks, we recommend having it checked.
-
Q2. Can a sensitive-teeth toothpaste solve it on its own?
It works by sealing exposed dentin to reduce stimulation, so it helps with mild hypersensitivity. If a cavity or crack is the cause, it has no effect or only a temporary one, so if things do not improve even with the toothpaste, the cause needs to be checked.
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Q3. Can sensitivity be reduced without drilling the tooth?
Applying a desensitizing agent, applying fluoride, and filling the exposed area with resin involve almost no drilling. If a cavity is the cause, only the damaged part is removed, as little as possible, and filled with resin.
References
- West NX, Lussi A, Seong J, et al. Dentin hypersensitivity: pain mechanisms and aetiology of exposed cervical dentin. Clinical Oral Investigations. 2013;17(S1):9-19.
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Sensitive Teeth
- Cairo F, Nieri M, Cincinelli S, et al. The interproximal clinical attachment level to classify gingival recessions and predict root coverage outcomes: an explorative and reliability study. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 2011;38(7):661-666.
※ This page is for general information and does not replace a diagnosis. Causes and treatment differ from person to person, and treatment can have side effects. Last reviewed 2026-09-11 · Director Jeong Jinwoo (board-certified prosthodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry)
Other symptoms
RESERVATION
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The same symptom can have different causes. After diagnosis, we explain only the treatment that is needed. Contact us through Naver Booking or by phone.
33 m from Exit 1, Bongcheon Station (Line 2) · Directions from Bongcheon Station →