Experiencing Cold Sensitivity? What Tooth Pain Can Mean

While cold sensitivity is extremely common, you don’t have to live with this type of pain or accept it as your new normal. Cold sensitivity can be lessened or resolved with treatment. Before we dive into the curative options for sensitive teeth, let’s walk through the potential causes and what they mean for you.When your teeth are healthy, the outer layer of enamel protects you from hot and cold sensitivities. If this outer layer is damaged, it leaves the layer underneath (called dentin) exposed. When dentin is exposed, “brushing, eating and drinking can cause sharp, temporary pain.”

Tooth Decay (aka cavities)

Fact: You don’t have to eat candy every day in order to get a cavity. If you’re experiencing pain, you may have a cavity that has reached a more advanced stage of decay. Therefore, it’s important to come in as soon as possible to avoid making it worse.

Root / Nerve Damage

Nerve damage sometimes occurs from trauma or a serious injury (such as a car accident), but this is not always the case.While tooth decay and root/nerve damage are the most common reasons for cold sensitivity, other reasons include worn fillings, gum disease, and fractured teeth. The only way to know for sure what’s causing your hot or cold sensitivity is to visit your dentist. Your dentist will assess the underlying cause and recommend a treatment to ease or erase your pain. Treatment options vary and could include any of the following:

Desensitizing Toothpaste

Have you seen Sensodyne at your local CVS or Walgreens? This type of toothpaste helps block the pain associated with tooth sensitivity and is available over the counter.

Fluoride Treatment

Your dentist can apply a fluoride treatment to the sensitive areas of your teeth to help strengthen your enamel.

Crowns

Also known as caps, crowns cover the entire tooth down to the root to keep it protected. Crowns can endure heavier use, which is why they are helpful in treating decayed or broken teeth.

Surgical Gum Graft

Gum tissue lost at the root of the tooth can cause sensitivity. A surgical gum graft helps cover any lost tissue to “protect the root and reduce sensitivity.”If all other options have been presented and none have been effective, your dentist may recommend a root canal. A root canal is a “procedure used to treat problems in the tooth's soft core (dental pulp).” It’s one of the most effective treatments for getting rid of tooth sensitivity.If you have questions about tooth sensitivity, or if you’d like to make an appointment, give our office a call at (804) 794-4588.