Are Your Teeth Sensitive to Hot and Cold?

We couldn’t be happier that summer is here! The warmer weather is the perfect opportunity to indulge in a sweet ice cream or Italian ice treat. If the thought of taking a big bite of a delicious frosty treat has you cringing, you might suffer from tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity can also be experienced with hot temperatures as well, so you might notice the same reaction after taking a sip of hot coffee or tea. Tooth sensitivity occurs when stimuli such as extreme hot or cold negatively affect the teeth, causing brief discomfort. This can occur in one or multiple teeth and can happen only occasionally or more frequently.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

We have probably all taken a big bite of an ice cream cone and felt extreme discomfort for a brief moment. Everyone experiences tooth sensitivity from time to time; however, if you are noticing it happening more frequently, you might be experiencing a dental problem that needs to be evaluated. Tooth sensitivity affects the outer covering of the tooth called the enamel. When the enamel becomes damaged, your mouth reacting to extreme hot or cold is a warning to you that something might be wrong. It’s similar to how your body reacts when you are about to touch something hot and you reflexively pull your hand away. Tooth sensitivity can signal that you might be experiencing a problem such as:

• A cavity in one or more teeth
• A cracked or chipped tooth
• Worn fillings or teeth due to grinding
• Gum disease
• Exposed tooth root
• How To Care For Sensitive Teeth
• If you are experiencing sensitive teeth, our first recommendation is to schedule an appointment in our office. We also suggest checking your toothbrush and toothpaste. Be sure that your toothbrush has soft bristles and start using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. When brushing, use gentle circular motions to clean your teeth.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity and it has become bothersome or you are concerned, please reach out to our office located in Ashburn, VA to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to meet with you to evaluate your symptoms. See you soon!