Tooth Sensitive to Hot and Cold: Causes and Treatments
Do you feel a sharp pain or discomfort in your teeth when you eat something hot or cold? You have tooth sensitive to hot and cold. Tooth sensitivity is a widespread dental issue that many people experience. It can disrupt your routine and cause you to avoid particular foods and drinks.
Let`s explore more about it.
What is Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity (tooth sensitive to hot and cold), or dentin hypersensitivity, is when the teeth become more sensitive to certain stimuli, such as hot or cold temperatures, sweetness or acidity. It usually occurs when the protective layer of enamel on the teeth wears down or when the gums recede, exposing the underlying dentin layer.
Dentin is a softer tissue containing tiny tubules that connect to the nerve endings in the tooth’s pulp. When these tubules are exposed, they allow external stimuli to reach the nerve, causing pain or discomfort.
Why is My Tooth Sensitive to Heat and Cold?
Depending on your circumstances, multiple potential causes show tooth sensitive to hot and cold.
Some of the most common ones are:
- A permanent crown is a dental restoration that covers a damaged or decayed tooth. Sometimes, a crown can cause sensitivity if it does not fit properly, is too high or too low, or irritates the surrounding gum tissue.
- A filling is a dental procedure that restores a decayed or damaged tooth. Sometimes, a filling can cause sensitivity if it is too deep, large, or close to the tooth’s nerve. A filling can also cause sensitivity if made of metal, which conducts heat and cold more than other materials.
- A chipped tooth is a tooth that has lost a small piece of enamel due to trauma, such as biting on something hard, falling, or getting hit in the mouth. A chipped tooth can cause sensitivity if the dentin layer is exposed or the chip creates a sharp edge irritating the gum tissue.
When to See a Dentist?
If you have tooth sensitivity for the first time, you should see your dentist immediately. Your dentist will carefully examine your teeth and gums and determine the cause of your sensitivity. Your dentist can also rule out other dental problems that may be causing your discomfort, such as cavities, gum disease, or cracked teeth.
Remedies and Medical Treatments for Tooth Sensitivity
Different remedies and medical treatments are available depending on the cause and severity of your tooth sensitivity.
Some of them are:
Desensitizing Toothpaste
This type contains ingredients that block the transmission of pain signals from the nerve to the brain. You can use desensitizing toothpaste twice daily as part of your regular oral hygiene routine. It may take several weeks before you notice any improvement in your sensitivity.
Fluoride Gel or Varnish
This topical application of fluoride strengthens the enamel and reduces the transmission of pain signals from the dentin. Your dentist can apply fluoride gel or varnish on your sensitive teeth during dental visits. You may need several applications to achieve optimal results.
Dental Sealants
These are thin coatings of plastic or resin that cover the exposed dentin and protect it from external stimuli. Your dentist can apply dental sealants on sensitive teeth during dental visits. Before needing replacement, dental sealants can endure for several years.
Bonding
This cosmetic procedure uses a tooth-coloured material to fill gaps or cracks in the enamel or dentin. Your dentist can perform bonding on your sensitive teeth during your dental visit. Bonding can improve the appearance and function of your teeth and reduce their sensitivity.
Root Canal Therapy
In this endodontic operation, the infected or inflamed pulp is removed from the tooth’s inside and sealed with a filling or a crown. If you have significant decay, an infection, or trauma to your tooth that has affected the nerve, your dentist may advise root canal therapy.
Diet and other changes
In addition to the remedies and medical treatments mentioned above, you can change your diet and lifestyle to prevent or reduce tooth sensitivity.
Some of them are:
- Avoid acidic foods and beverages
- Use a straw
- Brush gently
- Floss every day
- Avoid teeth grinding
How To Get Rid Of Sensitive Tooth?
To get rid of sensitive teeth, you need to identify and treat the underlying cause of your sensitivity. You should see your dentist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Depending on your case, you may need one or more of the following options:
- Desensitizing toothpaste
- Fluoride gel or varnish
- Dental sealants
- Bonding
- Root canal treatment
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you fix sensitive teeth to cold and hot?
You can fix sensitive teeth to cold using desensitizing toothpaste, a fluoride gel or varnish, or root canal treatment. You should also avoid acidic foods and beverages, use a straw, brush gently, floss daily, and avoid teeth grinding.
What causes sensitive teeth to be cold and hot?
Sensitive teeth to cold and hot can be caused by worn enamel, exposed roots, cavities, cracks, or recent dental procedures. These factors can extooth’s dentin of the layer of the tooth, which contains nerve endings that react to external stimuli.
Does heat sensitivity always mean a root canal?
No, heat sensitivity does not always mean other factors, such as enamel erosion or fillings, can cause heat sensitivity fillings. However, suppose your heat sensitivity is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling. In that case, you may have an infection or inflammation pulp the tooth that requires root canal treatment.
Can tooth sensitivity go away?
Tooth sensitivity can go away if you treat the underlying cause of your sensitivity. For example, suppose your sensitivity is caused by enamel erosion or gum recession. In that case, you can use desensitizing toothpaste or fluoride gel to strengthen the enamel and reduce the pain signals from the dentin.
Conclusion
Tooth sensitivity, or tooth sensitive to hot and cold, is a common dental problem that affects many people. It can cause pain or discomfort in response to hot or cold temperatures, sweetness or acidity. It usually occurs when the enamel wears down or the gums recede, exposing the tooth’s dentin layer.
You should see your dentist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if you have sensitive teeth. You should also follow good oral hygiene practices and make dietary and lifestyle changes to prevent or reduce tooth sensitivity.
