The Discomfort of a Sensitive Tooth to Cold
Tooth sensitivity can be triggered by many different sources. When cold affects the tooth, it can cause pain and interrupt the basic functions of that tooth. Understanding the cause of the sensitive tooth to cold and working with your dental professionals will help achieve fast relief and prevent future discomfort.
Table of Contents
How Cold Sensitivity to Teeth Works
Enamel is the outer layer of the tooth and protects the inside layers of the teeth that houses the nerves. The cold sensitivity response of the teeth works by:
- A tooth coming in contact with a cold source.
- The cold sensation traveling through the tooth’s tubules leading to the nerves.
- The nerve signal traveling to the brain feeling the cold sensitivity.
Common Causes of Cold Sensitivity
Cold sensitivity is rare for healthy teeth. Good brushing and flossing, a balanced diet, and routine dental visits are key to keeping enamel strong throughout your lifetime. Common causes of a sensitive tooth to cold are:
- Thin Enamel: Enamel is the outer layer of the tooth that acts as protection. If your enamel is thin or compromised, cold foods and beverages may cause sensitivity.
- Common Causes: A high sugar and acid diet, clenching and grinding, acid reflux, trauma to the tooth, and poor oral hygiene.
- Recession: When the gums are damaged, recession occurs. This exposes the root of the tooth that does not have any enamel to protect it and can cause discomfort from cold.
- Common Causes: Poor oral health, gum disease, clenching and grinding, and brushing too hard.
- Periodontal Disease: Gum disease will cause damage to the gum tissue and surrounding bone structure that supports the teeth. Active gum disease can cause sensitive teeth and recession.
- Cavities: A cavity damages the tooth starting with the enamel layer. This can cause a sensitive tooth to cold
- Our Discover Cavities in Between Teeth has additional information.
- Sinus Pressure: When the sinuses are inflamed, they can cause pressure on the roots of the teeth. This can make your teeth hypersensitive to cold.
Preventing a Sensitive Tooth to Cold
The best way to prevent a sensitive tooth to cold is through routine dental cleanings. Having your teeth cleaned at least every 6 months will keep the mouth healthy and help screen for cavities, gum disease, compromised enamel, and recession. Other ways to prevent tooth sensitivity are:
- Good Oral Hygiene: Having good homecare habits will help keep enamel strong and gum tissue healthy. This includes brushing 2 times a day and flossing daily.
- Fluoride Treatments: Receiving professional fluoride treatments at the dentist can help strengthen enamel and act as a shield for a sensitive tooth after cleaning.
- Dental Products for Sensitive Teeth: Specially formulated toothpaste and mouthwash for sensitive teeth can help prevent dental sensitivity.
- Your dental professionals can also recommend a prescription toothpaste that helps with tooth sensitivity.
For some, dental sensitivity can be triggered during dental cleanings. To learn more, check out Avoiding A Sensitive Tooth After A Cleaning.
Relieving a Sensitive Tooth to Cold
Around 12% of patients experience dental sensitivity in their lifetime. Ways to relieve a sensitive tooth to cold are:
- Avoid any sources of cold foods, drinks, and breathing in cold air.
- Avoid chewing hard foods like nuts, ice, and carrots.
- Stop using the tooth for up to a few days. Chew on the other side of the mouth if possible.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol or Advil. Always use medication as instructed on the bottle and consult your doctor before use.
- See your dentist to evaluate the tooth and prevent further problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean if a tooth is sensitive to cold?
A sensitive tooth is usually caused by compromised enamel. This could be caused by poor oral hygiene, cavities, gum recession, and many other reasons. Ask your dental professionals today how to help with a sensitive tooth to cold.
Can cold tooth sensitivity go away?
Cold sensitivity to teeth can be resolved most of the time with the help of your dental professionals. Your dental team will help identify the cause of the cold sensitivity and the best way to fix it.
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