Anyone who has ever had a sensitive tooth understands how excruciatingly painful it can be. Those in your immediate vicinity may regard you as a whiner. However, you will be unable to ignore the ensuing tooth pain and cold sensitivity for an extended period of time.

It’s possible that certain foods, such as ice cream, make inappropriate contact with your teeth, chipping them. If this occurs frequently, you may have sensitive teeth.

You and Tooth Sensitivity

Teeth that are sensitive to cold are equally prone to be damaged by hot foods and beverages. Teeth that are particularly sensitive to temperature extremes, such as those seen in hot or cold beverages, are more prone to harm. What can you do while you wait to be seen by a dentist?

The first step is to ascertain why your teeth are causing you discomfort. Based on your specific circumstances, you can choose the most appropriate treatment option for your teeth.

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Bear in mind that whenever you experience discomfort due to sensitive teeth, there is always a reason for it. Yes, cold beverages or acidic foods might immediately be the “cause” of pain. There is an underlying issue with your oral health that needs to be addressed.

If you visit the dentist immediately, you may be able to resolve the issue before it causes additional damage. This means that the sort of dental treatment required will depend on the underlying cause of your teeth’s sensitivity.

How Do You Know If You Have Sensitive Teeth?

Individuals with sensitive teeth experience shooting or stabbing pain when they consume cold or hot beverages. It is not essential to take place in a single area; it can take place in a range of locales. At times, the pain feels as if a dagger has been thrust into your head. As a result, the expression “brain freeze” was coined.

It is not an enjoyable experience.

A bad toothache can be brutally painful if you have a tooth that is sensitive to cold or heat. As a result, in order to avoid pain, it is necessary to first comprehend what is occurring.

Typical Causes of Sensitive Teeth

Most likely, your teeth have deteriorated over time. Brushing your teeth removes the enamel, the outer coating of your teeth. This is the protective covering that covers your nerve endings.

When teeth decay, gums recede, and other factors contribute to the deterioration of the enamel on the teeth’s outer surface, the enamel begins to erode. When your teeth are healthy, this layer already protects them. However, as the dentin of your teeth deteriorates, the teeth’s surface begins to wear away. As a result, your teeth will become more sensitive to heat and cold.

Dentin is composed of numerous little hollow tubes called canals. These small tubes carry heat and cold into the teeth. Dentin loss results in teeth becoming more sensitive, which is uncomfortable. What causes the dentin to begin to deteriorate?

Your teeth may be sensitive to heat and cold for a variety of reasons, including the following:

• cavities
• When tooth rot is in its early stages
• An individual who grinds their teeth (bruxism).
• Gum disease is a chronic ailment that goes untreated.
• Infections of the gums can result in receding gums and tooth loss.
• Your dental health will suffer if you use a toothbrush with stiff bristles or goods that have not been approved by the American Oral Association.
• Ignoring the need to avoid meals high in acid
• An injury to the tooth, such as a broken tooth

Although there are other possible causes of sensitive teeth, these are the most prevalent. Additionally, it could be a result of the way you spend your daily life. Smokers who do not adequately clean their teeth face the risk of having sensitive dentin, gum disease, and tooth enamel loss.

Treating Tooth Sensitivity

When you initially experience cold sensitivity or other sensations, you might experiment with a few home remedies to determine if they assist.

To begin, purchase a soft-bristled brush if you do not already own one. Put an end to the use of whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes containing alcohol. These are quite abrasive and can result in oral discomfort. If none of these modifications work, look for signs that you grind your teeth while sleeping.

This is detrimental to the enamel as well as the jaw. You may experience an unrelated headache, neck pain, or shoulder pain.

Treatment of Bruxism

If you believe you are grinding your teeth, contact a dental expert immediately. This may be a result of stress, or you may require medical attention for sleeping difficulties. The dentist’s office can provide enamel protectors, such as mouth guards, to assist in preventing further damage.

Meanwhile, your doctor can assist you in developing a treatment plan for your tooth grinding, or bruxism. There is a reason for your midnight grinding and clenching, and if you do not identify it, the consequences could be dangerous.

Basic Treatments for Sensitive Teeth 

The sort of dental work required to treat a sensitive tooth is determined by the cause and degree of the infection.

The first step is to take preventative measures. Your dentist can assist you in developing better dental hygiene habits and avoiding future damage. This begins with abstaining from foods and beverages known to erode enamel, such as those high in acid and sugar.

Then, you can use desensitizing toothpaste, brush frequently, floss, and rinse your mouth with mouthwash to maintain a healthy mouth and teeth. If, however, your gums continue to recede and you remain sensitive to cold and heat, it is time to progress to the next stage.

Strengthening of the Enamel

The enamel shields your roots and prevents them from coming into contact with the nerve endings in your teeth that cause irritation. A fluoride gel may be recommended to minimize sensitivity. Consistent use of this product strengthens tooth enamel and repairs the teeth’s protective coating. This can be accomplished in-office or at home with the assistance of specialized products.

Root Canal Therapy

Dental sensitivity caused by a cavity can be alleviated by the application of a sealant. On the other hand, a root canal may be necessary if your tooth has become sensitive to the cold due to gum disease, your gums have receded, or your dental roots are visible.

This is a procedure that eliminates infection from the pulp of your teeth. Once the gum line and tooth are free of infection, the dentist will place a dental crown to conceal the visible roots.

What Makes Your Teeth Sensitive? We Can Assist.

When your teeth become sensitive, a visit to the dentist is necessary if you desire to avoid receding gums or losing teeth due to decay. Contact our office immediately to find out how we may assist you in achieving or maintaining optimal dental health.