Situations
Sensitive tooth necks
Brief pain triggered by cold, heat or sweet foods.
Recognise stimulus-evoked pain
Ask whether a stimulus directly triggers the pain. Examine exposed dentine and distinguish it from caries or pulpal disease.
Local management of brief stimulus-evoked pain
For confirmed dentine hypersensitivity, choose desensitising toothpaste or professional fluoride treatment. Brief pain triggered by a stimulus usually does not require oral analgesia. Reassess spontaneous or persistent pain via Acute toothache.
Prescription options
A prescription is generally unnecessary for brief, stimulus-evoked pain. See the local approach.
Sources for this topic
Reference for dentists on acute dental pain and pain after treatment.
- KNMT · Alles over het gebit · Gevoelige tandhalzen · Prikkelgebonden gevoeligheid en lokale maatregelen
- NVvE · Richtlijn endodontische diagnostiek en behandeling · Update 2025 v1.0 · hoofdstuk 9, p. 219–222