Have you ever felt pain or discomfort after a bite of ice cream or a spoonful of hot soup? If so, you’re not alone. While pain caused by hot or cold foods could be a sign of a cavity, it’s also common in people who have sensitive teeth.

Tooth sensitivity, or “dentin hypersensitivity,” is exactly what it sounds like: pain or discomfort in the teeth as a response to certain stimuli, such as hot or cold temperatures.

It may be a temporary or a chronic problem, and it can affect one tooth, several teeth, or all the teeth in a single individual. It can have several different causes, but most cases of sensitive teeth are easily treated with a change in your oral hygiene regimen.