Cold winter weather hurting your teeth? If so, this could be a sign of eroded tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is what protects the inner layer (dentin) of your teeth.
When enamel wears off, nothing is left to protect sensitive teeth from the heat and cold. That’s why you may feel a pang when your teeth are exposed to cold weather or sipping a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
Does Tooth Sensitivity Go Away on Its Own?
Most tooth sensitivity goes away on its own. However, if your teeth are sensitive for more than a day or two, you should make an appointment with your dentist. Depending on your circumstances, tooth sensitivity may be a sign of a larger problem that needs to be addressed by your dentist.
You may have sensitive teeth due to:
.Brushing the teeth too hard
.Sweet foods and drinks
.Tooth plaque formation
.Nocturnal teeth grinding
.Extreme teeth whitening
.Gum disease
Don’t Neglect Tooth Sensitivity
It is not unusual for more patients to report tooth sensitivity during the winter months. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore toothache. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong.
If you experience tooth sensitivity lasting more than a few days, you will want to make an appointment with one of our dentists as soon as possible. The longer you delay seeing a dentist, the more time you potentially allow gum disease and cavities to worsen.
Know that Tooth Sensitivity Can Indicate a Bigger Problem
Tooth sensitivity can be a sign of a bigger problem. For example, one of the first signs of gum disease is sensitive teeth due to gum recession.
Fortunately, gingivitis can often be reversed with a professional dental cleaning and educating the patient on brushing and flossing properly. The same cannot be said for periodontitis, an advanced gum disease.
Sensitivity can also be caused by a cracked tooth or cavity. If you eat too many sugary foods, your teeth may feel “fuzzy” or “rough” because of all the plaque on your teeth. If it is not treated, we may need to restore it with a dental filling.
The sooner you make an appointment with your dentist, the sooner you can discover what is causing your tooth sensitivity. While your dentist may only recommend a few changes to your oral hygiene routine, drilling out a cavity and placing a filling may just as easily be necessary.
Make Your Appointment
In order to have a beautiful and healthy smile, you should consult your doctor as soon as you notice the sensitivity of your teeth to cold. A toothache or discomfort should never be ignored, especially when a simple change is all it takes to treat sensitive teeth.
For example, many patients have sensitive teeth after eating too many sweets, which increases the amount of plaque on their teeth.
Having your teeth cleaned by a professional can remove dental plaque so you don’t continue to experience tooth sensitivity. If the problem is more serious, our dentists will be able to detect signs of gum disease or tooth decay so you can get treatment as soon as possible.
