The Most Common Causes of Cold Sensitivity in Teeth: Insights from a Dentist in Sauganash, Chicago
Did you know that tooth sensitivity affects one out of every eight people in the United States? Also called dentin hypersensitivity, this is a painful condition that can afflict anyone due to poor oral hygiene, or as a side effect of another dental condition or procedure.
The question is: what exactly causes cold sensitivity in teeth? Dentin (or dentine) is a soft, sensitive layer of material that is located beneath the tooth’s enamel. This layer covers the dental pulp, which is made up of connective tissue, blood vessels, and cells. You may start to feel cold sensitivity in your tooth once the dental pulp is exposed due to weakened or eroded tooth enamel.
As the top-rated dentist in Sauganash, Chicago, Dr. Ziols and his staff have seen it all over the years. Below, we’re going to discuss some of the most common causes of cold sensitivity in teeth.
1. Untreated Cavities
Tooth sensitivity is one of the telltale signs of cavities (or dental caries). Most cavities begin with a tiny hole or scratch on your tooth enamel that is not visible to the unaided eye. Your dentin will be exposed to the extreme temperatures of what you consume — even to cold air — once the bacteria has broken through these holes or cracks.
2. Brushing Too Aggressively
Brushing and flossing are essential dental habits, but the brushing technique is also something you should consider. Brushing your teeth too aggressively with a firm-bristled toothbrush might start to scratch the surface of your enamel. Over time, bacteria will seize the opportunity to eat away at your enamel, resulting in cavities and sensitive teeth.
3. Using a Toothpick
Although toothpicks are often used to remove bits of food after meals, your family dentist in Sauganash, Chicago, may advise you to use dental floss instead. Toothpicks can wear out the surface of the tooth enamel if they are too hard. Your tooth enamel may look sturdy, but it cannot self-repair, unlike other parts of our bodies.
4. Grinding of the teeth
One way we react to stress is by grinding our teeth (bruxism). People who work in a high-stress environment or suffer from anxiety are more likely to grind their teeth or clench their jaws excessively. Your clenched jaws increase the pressure in your bite, wearing down your upper and lower teeth over time. Your dentin becomes exposed when the enamel breaks due to the constant pressure from teeth grinding, resulting in cold sensitivity in your teeth.
5. Chipped or Broken Tooth
A chipped or broken tooth can occur due to an injury or the use of your teeth as a tool. Tooth sensitivity can occur even with a tiny crack in the enamel. Bacteria can gain access to the inner layers of your teeth through the cracks in your teeth, putting you at risk for an abscessed tooth or tooth infection. If you have a chipped tooth, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your Sauganash, Chicago dentist as soon as possible.
6. Exposed Tooth Root
The root is the part of your tooth that is right below the gum line. It contains connective tissue, blood vessels, and cells with a hard layer of tissue known as cementum. The tooth roots are exposed to everything you eat when the gum or cementum is damaged. As a result, tooth sensitivity develops. Some of the most common causes of exposed tooth roots include receding gums, grinding of the teeth, and smoking.
7. Postoperative Hypersensitivity
Teeth whitening treatments can cause transient cold sensitivity in your teeth due to concentrated hydrogen peroxide used in both professional and over-the-counter whitening procedures. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide weakens and removes minerals from your tooth enamel. Not to worry — fluoridated water and fluoride-rich foods and drinks can quickly replenish the minerals in your teeth.
Are You Dealing with Tooth Sensitivity? Schedule an Appointment with the Top-Rated Dentist in Sauganash, Chicago
Are you suffering from tooth sensitivity? If so, Dr. Ziols and the team at Smile Innovations are here to help. As the top-rated dentist in Sauganash, Chicago, Dr. Ziols provides a wide range of restorative dentistry services that can help you get relief. Contact our office today at (773) 763-1000 to schedule an appointment.