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3 Things To Know About Teeth That Are Sensitive To Cold

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Do you have teeth that are very sensitive when you drink cold beverages or eat cold foods? If so, it will help to know the following three things about this common dental problem.

Why Do Teeth Become Sensitive To Cold Foods?

Your teeth become sensitive to cold foods due to the tiny pores on them known as tubules, which have a small nerve ending inside that runs through the tooth. If those pores come in contact with something cold, it can cause a sensation to travel through the tooth and be quite painful. While this sensitivity can come and go, know that it's your body trying to tell you something is wrong.

As people get older and start to have receding gums, it will cause more of the root of the tooth to become exposed. The root of the tooth also has tubules, and they are going to be wide open and more likely to cause sensitivity. If you've noticed that your teeth have become more sensitive as you've gotten older, it is likely due to your gums receding.

How Do The Pores Become More Exposed?

There are a few reasons why the pores of your teeth can become more exposed over time. A common reason for most people is dental erosion, which is when the enamel on your teeth gradually wears down over time. Having used orthodontics in the past can leave the pores more exposed when the brackets are removed from the teeth. Even teeth whitening tends to open up those pores more after the procedure is finished, causing your teeth to become more sensitive.

Since it may be unclear why your teeth are so sensitive to the cold, it's worth asking your dentist to figure out what the cause is. If it is something that you can treat, such as receding gums, your dentist can help you take the necessary steps to fix it and reduce sensitivity.

How Can Sensitivity Be Reduced?

Anyone using a whitening product should stop using it or consider cutting back on how often you use the whitening product. Using whitening strips every other day can help reduce the sensitivity at the expense of a longer treatment. You should also switch to sensitive teeth toothpaste, which will fill in those pores and make cold foods more comfortable to consume.

Reach out to your dentist's office for more information about dealing with sensitive teeth.


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