The problem of sensitive teeth is widespread. A study with approximately 12,000 subjects aged 18 and over showed that up to 45 percent of Europeans and 37 percent of North Americans have experienced sensitive teeth.

Sensitive teeth are often caused by exposed tooth necks. If the gum recedes, the tooth neck is exposed and the cementum becomes eroded. At this point narrow passageways called dentin tubuli are unprotected in the mouth. Via these dentin tubuli, undesirable hot/cold or sweet/sour stimuli can be conducted to the nerves in the pulp cavity, thus causing pain.