Why is Your Tooth Sensitive to Cold?
Anyone who has ever endured the excruciating pain of a sensitive tooth can at test to its excruciating nature. You may appear to others as if you're complaining about nothing. To put it another way, you will be unable to ignore your tooth pain and sensitivity until it goes away.
It's possible that certain foods, like ice cream, strike your teeth in the wrong way, causing them to chip. It's possible that you have sensitive teeth if this happens regularly.
Sensitivity to Tooth and You
It's safe to assume that if you have cold-sensitive teeth, you'll also have hot-sensitive teeth. Teeth that are sensitive to both hot and cold temperatures, such as those present in cold air and warm liquids, react unfavorably. Although dental procedures can help, what are your options in the meantime?
The first step is to identify the source of your dental discomfort. Finally, it's up to you to choose the best remedy for your individual situation.
The Factors that Contribute to Tooth Sensitivity
If you suffer from dental sensitivity, keep in mind that there is usually an underlying cause. Cold drinks and acidic foods may be the "cause" of immediate discomfort, although this isn't always the case. However, there is a problem with your dental health that needs to be addressed.
You may be able to avoid more harm to your teeth if you consult a dentist as soon as possible. Sensitive teeth are treated according to the underlying cause.
How Do You Determine Whether or Not You Have Sensitive Teeth?
Anyone with sensitive teeth who has ever felt a shooting or sharp pain when drinking cold liquids or hot coffee may attest to the existence of this sensation. It isn't necessary to limit the treatment to the mouth's teeth and gums. Occasionally, the pain radiates and feels like a knife has been stabbed into your brain. (This is where the term "brain freeze" gets its origin.)
Overall, I'd say it's not pleasant.
Tooth sensitivity to either cold or heat can result in a severe toothache if the tooth is exposed to extremes in temperature. In order to escape the suffering, you must first grasp what is happening.
Teeth Sensitivity: The Most Common Causes
The enamel on a tooth may have worn away over time, resulting in temperature sensitivity. The nerve terminals in the tooth are shielded from damage by the enamel, which is the tooth's outermost layer.
It is possible for enamel, which is made up of dentin, to erode over time due to factors such as tooth decay and gum recession. This protective tooth covering is present in all normally healthy teeth. However, when the dentin deteriorates, the surface of the tooth wears away. You'll notice a change in the sensitivity of your tooth enamel to heat and cold.
Dentin is made up of a network of tiny channels or canals. Heat and cold are carried by these tiny tubules to the nerves and cells of the tooth. Dentin loss makes teeth more sensitive. Dentin is disappearing. Therefore, why is this happening?
Several factors can result in enamel erosion and increased sensitivity to hot and cold, including the ones listed below:
- Cavities
- Early stages of dental caries
- Clenching of the teeth (bruxism)
- Periodontal disease that is not addressed.
- Infection of the gum tissue causes receding gums, which eventually leads to tooth loss.
- Non-ADA-approved goods or a toothbrush with soft bristles
- Consuming acidic foods despite knowing better.
- A broken or cracked tooth, for example
In addition to them, your frequent habits could be to blame for your sensitive teeth. Tooth decay, gum disease, and loss of tooth enamel can all be the result of tobacco use and poor oral hygiene.
Treating Tooth Sensitivity
There are a few things you can try at home to see if they alleviate your cold sensitivity or other problems.
To begin with, if you don't already have one, go out and get a soft-bristled brush. Stop using whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes containing alcohol. Tooth sensitivity can be caused by them if they are overly abrasive. If these alterations don't work, search for evidence that you are grinding your teeth while sleeping.
This has a negative impact on both the teeth and the jaw. If there is "no apparent cause," you may get a headache, neck, or shoulder pain.
Treatment for Bruxism
Make an appointment with a dentist right away if you suspect you are crushing your teeth. If you're having trouble sleeping, it's possible that stress is to blame, or you may need to see a doctor. For example, mouthguards can be given to patients by the dentist to protect their teeth from further harm.
For now, your doctor can help you design a treatment plan for bruxism, which is a condition in which you clench your teeth excessively. If you don't figure out what's causing your teeth to grind and clench when you're asleep, it could be deadly.
Basic Treatments for a Sensitive Tooth
Depending on the source and severity of the condition, the type of dental work needed to repair a sensitive tooth will vary.
Preventative precautions are the first thing to do. Improve your oral hygiene routines and avoid further harm with the help of your dentist. The first step is to avoid meals and drinks that are known to cause enamel loss, such as acidic and sugary ones.
De-sensitizing toothpaste, frequent brushing, and mouthwash can all help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. It's time to move on to the next step if your gums recede and you continue to have cold and heat sensitivity.
Enhancement of Enamel
The enamel protects the roots of your teeth from the sensitive nerve endings by acting as a barrier. If sensitivity is an issue, a fluoride gel may be prescribed. With regular use of this product, dentin is strengthened and the protective coating on your teeth is repaired. To accomplish this, you can either use specialist items in-office during regular business hours or at home after hours.
Root Canal Treatment
Cavity-induced tooth sensitivity can be alleviated with a sealant. For example, if your gums have receded or you can see your dental roots, you may need a root canal if your tooth has become sensitive to the cold due to gum disease.
The infection in your teeth's pulp is removed during this operation. The dentist will then implant a dental crown to cover the visible roots after the gums and teeth have been thoroughly cleaned.
What Caused the Sensitivity of Your Teeth? We'll Do Our Best to Help.
If your teeth are sensitive, you should see a dentist if you wish to stop your gums from receding or avoid tooth rot that leads to losing teeth. To learn more about how we can help you achieve or maintain excellent oral health, please contact our office today.