If you’re enjoying your ice cream and suddenly feel a sharp, throbbing pain in your gums and teeth, you may be experiencing tooth sensitivity to cold food. What are the causes of tooth sensitivity? Dentists explain that it is common for everyone to clench their gums after eating cold or hot foods. However, there are treatments for repetitive teeth sensitivity problem that can disrupt your lifestyle. Sandstone Point Dental near Beachmere can offer dental care services for teeth sensitivity, tooth extraction, or a root canal therapy to prevent further complications. Want to know more about teeth sensitivity? Check out these facts before going to your local dental clinic.
6 Causes Of Tooth Sensitivity (To Cold Or Hot Food And More)
A quick check in the mirror can show you the symptoms of a periodontal or gum disease. This dental problem can contribute to the cause of why you have tooth sensitivity to cold. Some people can have different reasons for experiencing tooth sensitivity to cold. Whether it’s your habits, lifestyle, or the cold food that you eat, make sure that you schedule an appointment with a dental office to solve your oral health care issue.
Exposed Tooth Root Due To Gum Recession
Prolonged gingivitis or inflammation of the gums can make your gums recede. Without gum rejuvenation from a periodontist, your tooth roots are exposed to millions of germs and bacteria. When periodontal disease from heat or cold occurs, it can further spread to adjacent areas inside the mouth. According to experts, gum tissues are destroyed during periodontitis (severe stage) that leads to recession. This situation makes it difficult for people that grind their teeth, as a mouthguard may not be enough to prevent sensitive teeth.
Cavities That Create Cracks In Tooth
A bacterial infection is the main reason why your teeth can experience pain for a few days. But, untreated cavities can last for weeks and even years. Cracks and chipped tooth, apart from injuries, can expose your nerves. You don’t want to experience a worn out enamel and dentin when you get older. So, the best solution for your cavity is to visit a dentist to fill those cracks and gaps.
Loose Or Worn Dental Fillings
As a part of the process for treating cavities, dental fillings are great to reduce toothaches. But, a loose dental filling can also be a problem after a root canal therapy. You may save your pulp with the root canal treatment straightaway. Conversely, if you don’t rest and take time to recover after the routine, you may have more oral health concerns. Patients can go back to their endodontist for retreatment and ask their health insurance company for help in paying for the service with a discount.
Forceful Brushing
Are you brushing for more than 10 minutes? If you see blood while brushing, you may have to check how hard the bristles of your brush are. Yet, an overzealous brushing with soft bristles can still make your gums bleed. Forceful brushing is one of the don’ts that a dentist warns for the surface layer of teeth. The right way to brush sensitive teeth is to use a toothpaste specially designed for sensitive gums and teeth.
Foods, Temperature, And Smoking
Cold and hot food, drinks, and even temperature may have side – effects that make our teeth sensitive and painful. A sudden change of air and weather environment can create hypersensitivity in the mouth. Alongside acidic, cold and hot foods, smoking can also increase the chances of your tooth sensitivity to cold temperatures. The toxic substances in the smoke can increase bacteria buildup, which destroy healthy cells.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening treatments are popular nowadays due to its fast and natural results. But, the chemical ingredient for teeth whitening, hydrogen peroxide can damage your dentin and enamel. Abrasion from the home remedies that people often do to whiten their teeth also increases sensitivity. Despite its risks, sensitive teeth caused by whitening can be reversed. You may ask your professional specialist about ways to treat sensitive teeth in the office and at home.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat Dental Disease?
Can tooth problems become a health risk? Dental diseases found in enamel or tooth decay or gum swelling are symptoms to consult a dentist. According to research studies, TMJD or temporomandibular joint diseease can also contribute to toothaches and sensitive teeth. Since there is a change in bite and alignment, our jaw can have a hard time moving. Many patients that disregard their dentist’s advice can suffer from the consequences beyond tooth sensitivity to cold. So, if you’re having a bad day of jaw clenching, here are other side effects that you should stop quickly.
Side Effects Of Tooth Sensitivity:
- Bad Breath Or Halitosis
- Malnutrition (Only desiring to eat certain foods)
- Tooth Loss
- Gum disease
- Bleeding, swelling gums
- Ear and throat pain
- Sleeplessness, Sleeping disorders
- Sleep Apnea (Breathing problem)
- Tiredness and fatigue
