Sensitivity can be a mild annoyance to a constant struggle, and there is a whole host of things that can cause it.
Sensitivity to Cold
Let’s get into this tin of worms! Sensitivity to cold doesn’t always spell disaster but if it ends up interfering with your day-to-day comfort then it’s time to get to checked. The most common causes of cold sensitivity that we see are from gums receding, which exposes less protected (and therefore more temperature-sensitive parts) of the tooth. Making sure you’re brushing gently with soft bristles and opting for a sensitive toothpaste may be all you need for this type of sensitivity – happy days! More sinister reactions to cold, anything sharp or cold sensitivity that hangs around for a while after that first bite into your ice cream, usually means that the cold is getting much closer to the nerve in your tooth. This could be from decay (looking at you, sweet tooth) or a crack (more likely to happen if you clench or grind, or if you have big fillings in your teeth already).
Any cold-related concern, even mild ones, are worth bringing up with your dentist. We can give you peace of mind and suggestions to tackle sensitivity within a normal range, treat any early signs of decay, or it may help us identify a tooth that we can save before a catastrophic break.
Sensitivity to Sweets
This one is a bit more specific, and more often is a sign that you have decay. Don’t sit on this one; book an appointment with your dentist to get it checked out before it progresses to something nasty.
Sensitivity to Heat
Teeth are usually pretty resilient to heat (coffee drinkers rejoice!) so when teeth do become sensitive to hot drinks or food, it raises a red flag. Sensitivity to heat comes from very particular nerve fibres being triggered in the tooth and can be a precursor to a great deal of pain (think toothaches and abscesses). Book in to see your dentist as soon as possible to get it checked out.
Like with all things teeth, there’s always a caveat…
Tooth sensitivity is a symptom that is classically fashionably late. Teeth are designed to be able to handle a great deal of stress – they’d have to be to get through 80+ years of temperature, pressure and fatigue – so by the time you feel a problem, chances are that it’s a lot worse than it feels. Regular checks and cleans, and keeping your x-rays up to date, is the best way to catch these problems before they start causing you sensitivity.
