Brief sharp sensitivity that stops as soon as the cold is gone behaves differently from an ache that lingers. That distinction is the most useful thing you can notice before your visit.
Associations, not diagnoses.
A desensitising toothpaste used consistently helps many people with generalised sensitivity. Ease off hard-bristled brushing and highly acidic drinks. None of that fixes decay or a crack, so persistent or worsening sensitivity still needs an exam.
A page can inform you. It cannot examine you.
Note when it happens and how long it lasts — that history genuinely narrows the possibilities at your exam.
General information reviewed by Mankirat Gill, DDS · August 2026. Not a substitute for an in-person examination. Severe pain, spreading facial swelling, or trouble breathing or swallowing: call us or seek emergency care now.