Why You Have Teeth Sensitive To Cold
If you have teeth sensitive to cold, several different things could be causing it. Around 12% of patients experience dental sensitivity in their lifetime.
This article will go over why you have teeth sensitive to cold and how to improve the discomfort.
Table of Contents
Why Are Your Teeth Sensitive To Cold? A General Overview
Enamel is the outer layer of the tooth that protects the inside layers of the tooth. It protects the nerves within your teeth from pain and sensitivity. However, temperature, especially cold temperatures, can cause sensitivity through even through the enamel.
The cold sensitivity response of the teeth happens in the following steps:
- A tooth comes in contact with a cold source.
- The cold sensation travels through the tooth’s tubules leading to the nerves.
- The nerve signal travels to the brain feeling the cold sensitivity.
Why You Have Teeth Sensitive To Cold
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, which in turn decreases any tooth sensitivity.
Common causes of teeth sensitive 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.
- Learn more about gum disease by checking out our article The 4 Stages of Gum Disease
- 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.
Tooth Is Sensitive To Cold After Filling
When a tooth is sensitive to cold after filling, that doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong. Dental fillings are a way to improve a tooth’s health after a cavity. Any dental treatment can cause the tooth to become stressed and cause some discomfort.
It’s normal to have teeth sensitive to cold after filling if:
- The discomfort goes away after removing the cold source.
- The sensitivity starts to improve and occurs less over time. It can take up to 2 weeks for a tooth to fully heal after a filling.
- The cold sensitivity doesn’t get worse over time.
Another reason why your tooth is sensitive to cold after filling is that your bite may be slightly off. After a filling, your dentist will check your bite to make sure the teeth fit together perfectly.
Contact your dental team today if you think your filling might too high and causing your bite to not align properly.
Tooth With Crown Sensitive To Cold
Similar to if your tooth is sensitive to cold after filling, having a tooth with crown sensitive to cold can occur after treatment. A crown is a way to heal a tooth after a larger cavity or if it’s damaged, like a fracture. After receiving a crown, your tooth will need some time to adjust.
If you have an old tooth with crown sensitive to cold, it could mean something bigger is happening underneath. It’s possible to get a cavity on a tooth with a crown, which would need to be treated by a dentist. It could also mean that bigger treatment is needed like a root canal.
Your dental team will always be able to help you if you have teeth sensitive to cold. Don’t hesitate to give your dentist a call and let them know if you’re experiencing a tooth with crown sensitive to cold, or any other tooth discomfort.
Healing Teeth Sensitive To Cold
If you have teeth sensitive to cold, take these steps to find fast relief and prevent any future discomfort:
- 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 a few days. Chew on the other side of your 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.
It’s possible to heal the teeth sensitive to cold and improve the overall health of your teeth by following a few easy steps. Ways to strengthen your teeth are:
- Using 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.
- Getting Fluoride Treatments: Receiving professional fluoride treatments at the dentist can help strengthen enamel and act as a shield for a sensitive tooth after cleaning.
- Using 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
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
