Most of us have had this experience. You pour yourself a tall glass of ice water on a hot day but the second the icy cold beverage hits your teeth, there’s a shooting pain so intense it makes your whole body tense up. Not fun.
The pain you’re feeling is likely from tooth sensitivity. The discomfort is generally triggered when hot or very cold liquids come into contact with the sensitive teeth. Sometimes, eating sweets can trigger pain from sensitive teeth. It’s important to understand why the pain is happening, and that will help you more effectively treat it so you can go back to enjoying the foods and beverages you love!
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity
If you’re experiencing pain from sensitive teeth, it might be due to an issue with the nerve. This can mean decay (a.k.a. cavity), a fracture that’s exposing the nerve, or an exposed tooth root due to gum disease. Many of us have receding gums, which means the root become exposed. When cold hits that root, it really can hurt. Eating sweet foods can also trigger pain like this in an exposed root, and it can also create pain if there’s a bit of tooth decay that hasn’t been addressed.
Alternatively, you might be experiencing sensitivity because of exposed dentin. When the enamel on your teeth gets worn away, the layer underneath (called dentin) becomes exposed. This layer is porous and when fluid gets in those pores, it can reach the nerve inside and cause some pretty serious pain.
If you’re experiencing pain when you consume hot beverages, it could be something a little more serious, like nerve damage inside of the tooth. Typically, when a nerve gets damaged, one of the things you’ll notice is some hypersensitivity to hot temperatures. If this is happening to you, it’s best to make an appointment to see your dentist.
How to Manage the Pain
If you believe your sensitivity is due to something less severe, you can usually manage the pain from sensitive teeth at home on your own. There’s a few very easy things you can do. First of all, toothpaste that’s specifically designed to help treat sensitive teeth is a must have. You can get this over the counter anywhere you buy toothpaste.
Next, make sure you’re not brushing too hard. This is VERY common and it can wear down your enamel. Brush in a circular motion and be gentle! Do your best to avoid overly acidic foods and beverages, or drink them through a straw. Lastly, if you’re interested in whitening your teeth, it’s best to do it with your dentist in the office. At home whitening kits are convenient, but some can lead to tooth sensitivity if used too often.
At The Dental Boutique, we are passionate about keeping your smile looking and feeling great! If you need a checkup or you want to talk to us about sensitivity or any other issue you’re dealing with, please schedule an appointment! You can give us a call at 337.231.3000 or choose an available time right on our contact page.
Talk to you again soon!
