Teeth Sensitive to Cold? 8 Potential Causes

You take a bite of ice cream and wince because of a sharp pain in your teeth. If this reaction to cold drinks or cold foods sounds familiar, you could have sensitive teeth. Please continue reading to find out the potential causes of cold sensitivity and the best tooth sensitivity treatment.

What do sensitive teeth feel like?

Tooth sensitivity can be triggered by hot and cold temperatures, i.e., from drinking or eating hot and cold beverages and foods. In addition to temperature sensitivity, it can also be from sweet and sour foods and drinks. Some people have teeth sensitivity just from breathing cold air. The tooth pain associated with sensitive teeth is usually a sudden, sharp, shooting pain. Pain may be localized to specific teeth or spread throughout the mouth.

If you have a severe toothache that does not go away, make an appointment with your dental office right away. It could be something other than dental sensitivity. Your dental professional can find out what’s going on and offer the appropriate treatment.

Why are my teeth so sensitive to cold all of a sudden?

According to the American Dental Association, sensitive teeth can occur for various reasons. The most common cause is when the protective covering on the tooth surface, called tooth enamel, gets worn down, exposing the underlying dentin layer. This can happen due to tooth decay, receding gums in people with gum disease, or erosion of enamel.

Potential causes of sensitive teeth include:

Aggressive tooth brushing: Brushing with too much pressure or using a toothbrush with hard bristles can cause enamel abrasion and gum recession. When your gums recede, the roots of your teeth become exposed. Unlike the enamel covering the crown of the tooth, the roots do not have a protective layer of enamel, making them more susceptible to sensitivity when exposed to cold substances.
Teeth grinding: Clenching the jaw or grinding teeth can wear down the enamel over time and form tiny enamel cracks, which make the teeth sensitive to cold and hot temperatures.
Diet: Regular consumption of acidic foods such as soda, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and pickles can lead to sensitive teeth because acid can erode the enamel over time.
Tooth decay: Enamel protects the tooth surface. In people with tooth decay, the bacteria and acid in the plaque buildup erode the enamel. Once the enamel layer is worn away, the next layer, dentin, is exposed. Dentin contains small hollow tubes that directly lead to the nerve endings of the tooth, thereby making the tooth sensitive.
Gum recession: Some people have genetically thin gum tissue. Others develop receding gums (pulling away of the gum tissue from the natural gum line) due to gum disease, trauma from using toothpicks, or an effect of orthodontic treatment. When the gums recede, this exposes the tooth roots and allows stimuli such as hot and cold to travel to the pulp of the tooth where the nerves are located, making teeth hurt and feel sensitive.
Cracked teeth: Microscopic cracks in a chipped or cracked tooth can become a hotbed of bacterial activity, leading to inflammation. This can irritate the nerves in the pulp of the tooth.
Dental products: Teeth whitening products can cause the wearing down of tooth enamel and lead to sensitive teeth. Some types of mouthwashes contain acids and can worsen hot and cold sensitivity if you already have sensitive dentin.
Dental treatments: Recent dental work such as professional teeth cleanings, fillings, root canal therapy, or placement of dental restorations can make your teeth sensitive.

Can cold tooth sensitivity go away?

Dental sensitivity can go away in 4-6 weeks if your teeth are temporarily sensitive after dental treatment. However, if your sensitive tooth pain is due to an underlying cause such as tooth decay or gum disease, it will not go away without any treatment. Your dentist will recommend a treatment such as a desensitizing toothpaste; dental crown, inlay, or bonding; root canal treatment; or surgical gum grafting, depending on the cause and severity of the problem.

How do you fix cold-sensitive teeth?

If you have sensitive teeth, you should make a dental appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will determine the root cause of your teeth sensitivity and prescribe the appropriate treatment. In addition, the following tips can prevent wear and tear of the tooth enamel and lower your risk of developing teeth sensitivity.

Use a soft-bristled brush. Soft bristles are less likely to wear down the outer layer of a tooth (enamel).
Choose a desensitizing toothpaste. This can help to make your teeth less sensitive.
Use fluoridated toothpaste or do fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a mineral that has been proven to remineralize and strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks and reducing sensitivity.
Practice good oral hygiene. Regular brushing and flossing protect oral health and prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Avoid acidic foods and sodas. Certain foods and beverages can cause or worsen tooth sensitivity. Avoiding acidic foods may reduce sensitivity.
Get treatment for teeth grinding. Your dentist can prescribe a mouth guard to wear at night if you grind your teeth.
Visit your dentist regularly. Regular visits to the dentist are vital to maintaining healthy teeth. In addition, it’s important to seek timely treatment for any problem, such as a worn-down filling or tooth injury, to prevent dental sensitivity.