Teeth sensitive to cold may be a result of poor dental care. There are many causes of this disease, but the most serious ones have to do with your enamel and gums.
If you have teeth sensitive to cold but you haven’t found a definitive solution to your problem, this article is exactly what you need. There is no need to ignore cold drinks because you know beforehand that it will make your teeth hurt.
Teeth sensitivity can be caused by many factors, but fortunately, it can be healed.
What causes teeth sensitivity?
“It can happen to anyone”, said Dr. Margaret Culotta-Norton, former president of the D.C. Dental Society. Some people can be born with more sensitive teeth than others or people can make their teeth sensitive.
“There are several dental conditions that cause tooth sensitivity, most of which involve the loss of protective covering over the dentin,” said Ana Paula Dias Ribeiro, DDS, PhD.
1. Thin Enamel
As you may have heard in the past, the enamel is the outer layer of the tooth. It is the protector of your tooth since it is one of the hardest substances on Earth. Nonetheless, if you don’t take care of your enamel, it can be worn away, thus leading to teeth sensitive to cold.
2. Naturally Shirking Gums
“Toothbrush abrasion, pocket reduction surgery, prep work for a crown, excessive flossing, and gum disease can all lead to gum-related tooth sensitivity”, Ribeiro says. The classic sign is that it pulls away from your teeth, thus uncovering the roots.
This part of the tooth is the only one that is not protected by enamel, so it is much more sensitive than the rest.
3. Cracked Tooth
If you break a tooth, you need to be careful because the crack can go as far as the roots. You will notice the pain when your tooth is cold. If this is the case, you need to go to the dentist as fast you can so that he fixes the crack.
How can you ease teeth sensitive to cold?
Taking care of the enamel is perhaps the best thing you can do to cure teeth sensitive to cold. There are several methods you can carry out to prevent and cure tooth sensitivity:
Treatment #1: Don’t brush too hard.
If you think you brush your teeth very hard, there is a high percentage that you are taking off more than just your plaque. In fact, side-to-side brushing at the gum line can make your enamel wear away faster. To prevent this, you should use a soft-bristled brush, and stick to a 45-degree angle when brushing.
This will help you keep your enamel strong and healthy.
Treatment #2: Avoid acidic food and drinks.
Since you were little, dentists probably told you about the dangers of soda and candy. The fact remains that these high-sugar carbs are very detrimental to the enamel, plus they pave the way for many cavities, which can be as uncomfortable as teeth sensitive to cold.
To prevent this, you should make some changes to your diet. Prioritize fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, and yogurt. These foods will help you fight acid and bacteria that are constantly attacking your teeth.
Treatment #3: Unclench your teeth.
If you have the habit of grinding your teeth, you should stop right away. Over time, teeth grinding will wear away your enamel. People grind their teeth mainly due to stress or depression. But if this is your case, consider seeking help. If this doesn’t work out, go to the dentist so that you can get a splint or a mouthguard.
But if under any circumstances, you continue to grind your teeth, not only will you continue to experience teeth sensitive to cold, but you can get permanent damage to your teeth and gums.
Treatment #4: Stop bleaching.
I can totally understand that you always want a very bright and white smile and that bleaching is an excellent way to achieve this. However, if you have teeth sensitive to cold, you need to consider putting a stop to bleaching until you solve your problem.
If your sensitivity is a result of bleaching, it should stop pretty quickly. Talk to your dentist to determine if you are rejecting your bleaching treatments.
Treatment #5: Dental care.
If you have teeth sensitive to cold, it is a result of your lack of interest in your dental care. You don’t pay a visit to your dentist as often as you should. By ignoring your dental care, you are prone to experiencing further enamel decay and more teeth sensitivity.
In addition to visiting your dentist, consider brushing and flossing at least twice a day.
Conclusion:
Teeth sensitive to cold can be a very serious thing that should be dealt with right away. Follow these tips so that you can improve your dental care and prevent further damage.
References:
- https://www.livescience.com/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- https://www.myvmc.com/
- https://www.webmd.com/
