Sensitive teeth to hot or cold: what could it be?
That quick jolt with coffee, ice cream, or cold air has an explanation. Sensitivity usually appears when the inner layer of the tooth becomes more exposed, through worn enamel or receding gums, and the causes range from simple to more serious. Well Clinic Odontologia investigates which one applies to you.
What is usually behind it.
Only an evaluation tells one cause from another. These are the most common:
Worn enamel
Enamel protects the inner layer of the tooth. When it wears down, through forceful brushing, an acidic diet, or friction, the tooth tends to respond more to hot and cold.
Receding gums
When the gum recedes, part of the root becomes exposed, and the root does not have the same protection as the crown of the tooth. It is one of the most frequent causes of localized sensitivity.
Teeth grinding
Grinding or clenching can contribute to wear and to sensitivity, often without the person noticing. See the signs in teeth grinding.
Whitening
Sensitivity can occur during and shortly after whitening, with intensity that varies from person to person. It tends to be temporary, and a supervised protocol follows that comfort.
Decay
Sensitivity can also be the first warning of decay forming. Only an evaluation tells superficial wear from something that needs treatment.
Seek an evaluation if you notice:
- Sensitivity that persists for weeks without improving
- Pain that continues after the stimulus is gone, which may indicate the inside of the tooth is involved
- Sensitivity in one single tooth
- Jolts that are becoming more frequent or more intense
- Sensitivity alongside a receding gum or visible wear
None of these signs is a diagnosis: they are reasons to investigate. And investigating early usually means simpler treatment.
Sensitivity is a sign of wear. Where does the wear come from?
The wear that exposes a tooth rarely happens without a reason. Brushing habits, diet, the way the teeth meet when you bite, and even sleep can be part of the picture. That is why the evaluation here looks for the origin of the wear rather than only sealing the symptom.
What patients ask us.
Does tooth sensitivity go away on its own?
It can ease, but if the cause is wear or a receding gum, it tends to return. Sensitivity that persists for weeks deserves an evaluation.
Does whitening cause permanent sensitivity?
Sensitivity can occur during and shortly after whitening, with intensity that varies from person to person, and it tends to be temporary. A supervised protocol follows that comfort.
Is a special toothpaste enough?
It can help with comfort, but it does not identify the cause. Sensitivity in a single tooth, or pain that lingers after the stimulus, deserves examination.
Can I be seen in English?
Yes. Consultations at Well Clinic Odontologia can be conducted in English, in Jardim Paulista, São Paulo.
The first consultation reads the whole case.
Two hours evaluating teeth, bite, habits, and overall health, in English if you prefer, before any plan is proposed.