When you sip on a cold beverage, do you experience shooting feelings of pain and sensitivity in your teeth? Cold sensitivity is a pretty common problem, but it's one that has many causes. To get to the bottom of the issue – and hopefully experience some relief – follow these steps.
Consider whether you recently had dental work done.
If you recently had a cavity filled or a crown put on your tooth, what you're experiencing is probably a normal, temporary side effect of the procedure. As long as you only experience temperature-related sensitivity and don't have any pain when you chew, you probably have no reason to worry. Give your mouth another week or so to recover; the sensitivity will probably go away. If it does not, or if you have pain even when biting into room-temperature foods, see your dentist. The filling or crown may not have been placed properly.
Practice better oral hygiene.
Sensitivity often appears when you have gum disease. The gum disease causes the gums to separate from the teeth, exposing the more sensitive nerve endings that are usually covered by gum tissue. Doing a better job of brushing thoroughly, flossing daily, and using antiseptic mouthwash will generally get rid of early-stage gum disease and the related tooth sensitivity. If you can see pockets between your gums and teeth, or if you notice pus coming from your gums, see your dentist. These are signs of more serious gum disease that warrants professional treatment.
Use sensitivity toothpaste.
If upping your oral hygiene routine does not chase away the sensitivity, there's a chance it's due to thin enamel or nerves that have become overly sensitive. Sensitivity toothpaste helps close the "pores" leading to the nerves, making them less sensitive over time. You may need to use it for a week or two before you experience a noticeable improvement.
See your dentist about cavities.
If you don't experience relief even from a sensitivity toothpaste, it's time to make an appointment with a dentist. You may have cavity developing in one of your teeth. The decay can expose the nerves in your tooth, making them overly reactive to cold foods and beverages. Just because you don't see a cavity does not mean one's not there. Cavities are not usually visible until they're pretty large, and sometimes they're found between teeth.
Don't ignore tooth sensitivity! It's usually a sign of a larger problem that needs treatment to prevent future problems.Share
10 January 2017
Being born with naturally soft teeth, I've spent a lot of time in and out of the dentist's office. Not only have I learned a lot about basic dental care, I've also discovered many tips for dealing with broken teeth, extractions, implants, and more. I decided that I wanted to make the most of my experience by sharing what I've learned with others. True first-hand experience is a great teacher, and I knew that my story could help. I created this site to do just that, and I hope that the information here helps you to understand what to expect from your dental problems.