An unusual oral habit presenting as Dentin Hypersensitivity

Dentine hypersensitivity is a condition generally reported by the patient after experiencing sharp, transient tooth pain. It is associated with a variety of exogenous stimuli. These include thermal, tactile and osmotic changes to name a few. There is substantial variation in pain response from one person to another. We present the case of a 30-year-old man with an unusual oral habit- office pin chewing and filing of the front tooth which resulted in dentine hypersensitivity. Clinical relevance: The role of daily oral habits and techniques of cessation were suggested in the management of dentine hypersensitivity.Keywords: Unusual oral habit, dentine hypersensitivity, case reportNigerian Hospital Practice Vol. 2 (3) 2008: pp. 54-5