Tooth Sensitivity and Enamel Erosion: Causes and Treatment

That Sharp Twinge

You bite into an ice cream, sip a hot coffee, or breathe in cold morning air, and a sharp jolt shoots through a tooth. Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common complaints we hear at FB Dental, and while it is rarely an emergency, it should never be ignored. That twinge is your tooth telling you its protective layers have been compromised, and the two usual culprits, exposed dentine and enamel erosion, are closely related. This guide covers both: why sensitivity happens, how acid quietly wears enamel away, and what you can do about each.

Why Teeth Become Sensitive

Healthy teeth are wrapped in enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. Beneath it sits dentine, a softer layer threaded with microscopic tubules that run straight to the nerve. While enamel is intact, hot, cold and sweet stimuli never reach those tubules. When enamel thins or gums recede, the dentine is exposed and every temperature change gets a direct line to the nerve.

The most common causes we see in the chair are:

• Enamel erosion from acidic foods and drinks (more on this below)
• Gum recession exposing tooth roots, which have no enamel covering at all
• Cracked or chipped teeth that let stimuli through to the dentine
• Worn or leaking fillings that no longer seal the tooth properly
• Teeth grinding (bruxism), which wears enamel flat, often overnight without you knowing
• Overly aggressive brushing with a hard-bristled brush, which abrades enamel and pushes gums back
• Recent dental work, where mild sensitivity for a week or two is normal and usually settles on its own

If your brushing technique might be part of the problem, our guide on how to brush your teeth properly walks through the gentle, effective method we recommend.

Enamel Erosion: The Slow, Silent Cause

Erosion deserves its own section because it behaves differently from tooth decay. Cavities are caused by bacteria feeding on sugar and producing acid in one spot. Erosion is chemical, not bacterial: acid from food, drink or the stomach dissolves the enamel surface across many teeth at once. It is gradual, painless in its early stages, and easy to miss until teeth start looking yellower, feeling rougher, or reacting to temperature.

Here is the part that matters most: once enamel is gone, it does not grow back. Enamel has no living cells, so your body cannot repair it the way it heals skin or bone. Prevention and early intervention are everything.

What Causes Erosion

• Soft drinks, including sugar-free and diet versions. The acid does the damage, not just the sugar.
• Citrus fruits and juices, especially when sipped or snacked on throughout the day
• Wine, sports drinks and energy drinks, all more acidic than most people realise
• Acid reflux, which bathes the back teeth in stomach acid, often overnight
• Frequent vomiting, whether from morning sickness, illness or an eating disorder

Frequency matters more than quantity. Sipping a soft drink over an hour holds your mouth at an acidic pH the entire time, which is far worse for enamel than finishing the same drink in five minutes with a meal.

How Erosion Leads to Sensitivity

Erosion and sensitivity are two stages of the same story. As acid thins the enamel, the insulating barrier over the dentine shrinks. Eventually stimuli that enamel used to block, cold water, hot tea, even sweet foods, start reaching the nerve. That is why sensitivity is often the first symptom of erosion a patient actually notices, long after the damage began. Treating the twinge without addressing the acid exposure behind it only masks the problem.

Protecting Your Enamel

The good news is that erosion is largely preventable with a few simple habits:

• Use a straw for acidic drinks so the liquid bypasses your teeth
• Rinse with water immediately after anything acidic to wash the acid away
• Wait 30 minutes before brushing after acid exposure. Acid softens enamel temporarily, and brushing too soon scrubs the softened layer off.
• Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva, your mouth's natural acid neutraliser
• Choose water as your default drink, especially between meals
• Manage reflux with your GP if you have it, and tell your dentist so we can monitor your enamel
• Use a fluoride toothpaste daily to help remineralise and harden the enamel surface

Treatment Options at FB Dental

The right treatment depends on the cause, which is why we always start by examining the tooth rather than guessing. Depending on what we find, options include:

• Desensitising toothpaste for mild cases, which blocks the exposed dentine tubules over a few weeks of regular use
• In-chair fluoride treatments to strengthen and remineralise weakened enamel
• Bonding or dental fillings to cover exposed dentine, repair worn areas and replace old fillings that have stopped sealing properly
• Gum grafts to cover exposed roots where recession is the cause
• Crowns to protect teeth that are cracked or heavily eroded
• A custom night guard if grinding is wearing your enamel down while you sleep

Because erosion and sensitivity develop gradually, a regular check-up and clean is the single best way to catch them early, while the fixes are still simple and inexpensive.

When to See a Dentist

Book an appointment if sensitivity lasts more than a few days, affects one tooth in particular, wakes you at night, or comes with visible chips, cracks or yellowing. Lingering pain after the trigger is removed can indicate the nerve is involved, and that is worth investigating promptly. FB Dental is local to Yarrabilba at Suite 1/34-36 Adler Cct, open Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with a 5.0 star rating from 185 Google reviews and a 2026 Local Business Awards Finalist listing behind us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my teeth suddenly sensitive to hot and cold?

Sudden sensitivity usually means enamel has worn thin or gums have receded, exposing the dentine underneath. Erosion, a cracked tooth, a worn filling, grinding or recent dental work are the usual triggers. An examination is the fastest way to pinpoint which one applies to you.

Does tooth enamel grow back?

No. Enamel has no living cells, so once it is lost it is gone for good. Early-stage erosion can be slowed and remineralised with fluoride, but that is repair of weakened enamel, not regrowth, which is why prevention matters so much.

What drinks cause enamel erosion?

Soft drinks (diet versions included), citrus juices, wine, sports drinks and energy drinks are the main offenders. Use a straw, rinse with water afterwards, and keep acidic drinks to mealtimes rather than sipping through the day.

Should I brush straight after eating something acidic?

No. Acid softens enamel temporarily, and brushing immediately can scrub that softened layer away. Rinse with plain water straight away, then wait about 30 minutes before brushing.

Does desensitising toothpaste actually work?

For mild sensitivity, yes. It blocks the tubules in exposed dentine and typically takes two to four weeks of twice-daily use to show results. If the sensitivity persists or worsens, see a dentist, because toothpaste cannot fix a crack, a failing filling or advanced erosion.

Can acid reflux damage my teeth?

Yes. Stomach acid is much stronger than anything in your diet, and reflux repeatedly exposes the back teeth to it, often overnight. If you have reflux, mention it at your check-up so we can keep an eye on your enamel.