Tooth Sensitivity Ottawa
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Get in touch with us
Do not fill this form out if you’re a solicitor.
Get in touch with us
Do not fill this form out if you’re a solicitor.
What Are Sensitive Teeth?
Having sensitive teeth can mean anything from getting a mild twinge to having severe discomfort that can continue for several hours. It can also be an early warning sign of more serious dental problems.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
The part of the tooth we can see has a layer of enamel that protects the softer dentine underneath. If the dentine is exposed, a tooth can become sensitive. This usually happens where the tooth and the gum meet and the enamel layer is much thinner. Here are some causes of sensitivity:
- Brushing too hard (‘toothbrush abrasion’), and brushing from side to side, can cause enamel to be worn away – particularly where the teeth meet the gums. The freshly exposed dentine may then become sensitive.
- Dental erosion: this is the loss of tooth enamel caused by attacks of acid from acidic food and drinks. If enamel is worn away, the dentine underneath is exposed which may lead to sensitivity.
- Gums may naturally recede (shrink back), and the roots of the teeth will become exposed and can be more sensitive. Root surfaces do not have an enamel layer to protect them.
- Gum disease: a build-up of plaque or tartar can cause the gum to recede down the tooth and even destroy the bony support of the tooth. Pockets can form in the gums around the tooth, making the area difficult to keep clean and the problem worse.
- Tooth grinding: this is a habit that involves clenching and grinding the teeth together. This can cause the enamel of the teeth to be worn away, making the teeth sensitive.
- A cracked tooth or filling: a cracked tooth is one that has become broken. A crack can run from the biting surface of a tooth down towards the root. Extreme temperatures, especially cold, may cause discomfort.
- Tooth bleaching: some patients have sensitivity for a short time during bleaching or afterward. Discuss this with your dental team before having treatment.
Do I Need To Go And See My Dentist?
Yes, if you have tried treating your sensitive teeth for a few weeks and have had no improvement.
What Treatments Can The Dentist Offer?
During an examination, the dental team will talk to you about your symptoms. They will look at your teeth to find out what is causing the sensitivity and to find the best way of treating it. The dental team may treat the affected teeth with special ‘de-sensitizing’ products to help relieve the symptoms. Fluoride gels, rinses, or varnishes can be applied to sensitive teeth. These can be painted onto the teeth at regular appointments one or two weeks apart, to build up some protection. Sensitivity can take some time to settle, and you may need to have several appointments. If this still does not help, your dental team may seal or fill around the neck of the tooth, where the tooth and gum meet, to cover exposed dentine. In very serious cases it may be necessary to root-fill the tooth.
Is There Anything I Can Do To Treat Sensitive Teeth At Home?
There are many brands of toothpaste on the market made to help ease the pain of sensitive teeth. You should use fluoride toothpaste twice a day to brush your teeth. You can also rub it onto the sensitive areas. These toothpaste can take anything from a few days to several weeks to take effect. Your dental team should be able to advise you on which type of toothpaste would be best for you.
How Can I Prevent Sensitive Teeth?
- Brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with fluoride toothpaste. Consider using toothpaste specially designed for sensitive teeth. Use small, circular movements with a soft-bristled brush. Try to avoid brushing your teeth from side to side.
- Change your toothbrush every two to three months, or sooner if it becomes worn.
- Don’t brush straight after eating – some foods and drinks can soften the enamel of your teeth, so leave it for at least an hour before you brush.
- Have sugary foods, and fizzy and acidic drinks, less often. Try to have them just at mealtimes.
- If you grind your teeth, talk to your dental team about whether you should have a mouthguard made, to wear at night.
- If you are thinking about having your teeth bleached, discuss sensitivity with your dental team before starting treatment.
- Visit your dental team regularly, as often as they recommend.
Testimonials





Very kind, thoughtful and professional and treatments were executed with the least pain possible.
Also very accommodating when urgent care was needed.

Right from the moment to enter to a tallented team of dentists, assistants, & hygienist.
I was told the amount of years the staff have been working as a smooth delightful teams.
To me the later is extremely important to me.
Without a doubt if your looking for a forever dental team. This is where you should go.
☺️

That was the day I spoke with Lynn about a very upsetting experience I had at a different dental clinic. I was discouraged, embarrassed, and honestly afraid to try again. I wasn’t just looking for a new dentist — I was looking for a place that would make me feel safe.
Lynn listened to me with patience and compassion. She didn’t rush me. She didn’t minimize what I felt. She treated my story with care.
We had to wait until February 15 for my government dental benefits to become active, and that’s why my first appointment was scheduled for February 20, 2026. During that waiting period, I carried a mix of anxiety and hope. But when I finally walked into Trillium Dental at Westgate Mall on February 20, I immediately felt something different.
Lynn remembered me. She remembered our conversation. I wasn’t just another name on a schedule. That alone meant more than she probably realizes. By the time I left that day, it didn’t feel like I had just met a staff member — it felt like I had connected with someone who genuinely cared. Somehow, so naturally, we became friendly in the most comforting way.
She made sure I was placed with Dr. Nair — and that decision changed everything for me.
Dr. Nair is one of the most compassionate and gentle healthcare professionals I have ever encountered. She listened to my worries without interrupting. She did not criticize my mouth or make me feel ashamed for staying away from dental care for years. Instead, she focused on what could be done moving forward. We completed the necessary exams and tests, and for the first time in a long time, I felt calm sitting in a dental chair.
And Rawan, the R.D.H., deserves just as much recognition. As someone who hadn’t seen a hygienist in years, I felt self-conscious and nervous. But Rawan treated me with patience, respect, and warmth. She was gentle and reassuring. She made something I feared feel manageable. That kind of care isn’t just technical skill — it’s heart.
I returned again on Friday, February 27 for further treatment, and the kindness was consistent. It wasn’t just a good first impression. It was genuine compassion.
What truly touched me was their understanding of my life circumstances. I am currently job searching and rebuilding stability. Financially, things are tight. Instead of making me feel small about that, they helped me sign up for the government dental insurance program and reassured me that my health still matters — even during difficult seasons.
Trillium Dental didn’t just treat my teeth. They restored my trust in healthcare. They reminded me that compassion still exists in medical spaces.
To Lynn, Dr. Nair, Rawan, and the entire team — thank you. You may do this every day, but for me, this experience was healing.
If you have been scared to go back to the dentist, if you feel embarrassed, or if life has simply made things difficult — this is the place that will meet you with dignity and humanity.
Forever grateful. 💙

Would highly recommend
