New Dental Pains | 3 Reasons Teeth Become Increasingly Sensitive to Cold Food and Drinks
Posted on: 8 February 2017
Sensitive teeth are a real pain. If you've recently started suffering from tooth sensitivity, you may just attribute it to getting older. But you should never ignore increasingly sensitive teeth, which are oftentimes a sign of an underlying problem that needs to be treated sooner rather than later. Listed below are three reasons teeth suddenly become sensitive to cold food and drinks.
1. The Daily Grind
When thinking about the daily grind, you likely think about fast-paced, stressful activities at work and while running errands. But business meetings and errands can also cause another type of grinding--teeth grinding.
For individuals who suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), stress increases their daily grinding. This daily grinding wears away tooth enamel, which eventually leads to tooth sensitivity.
Making matters worse, many people who are stressed out and overworked turn to caffeine to help them get through their day. Unfortunately, caffeine also worsens teeth grinding due to increased muscle tension and physical stress.
If you suffer from teeth grinding, it could be the cause of your sensitive teeth. The good news is that reducing your caffeine intake (or eliminating it altogether) and using a mouth guard at night will help to reduce--or even stop--teeth grinding.
2. Whitening Toothpastes and Rinses
No one wants yellow teeth, which is why whitening toothpastes and rinses have become so popular in recent years. Unfortunately, these whitening products often cause tooth sensitivity.
If you suddenly notice an increase in tooth sensitivity after using a new whitening product, stop using the product immediately, and see if the symptoms go away.
3. Gum Disease
Some causes of tooth sensitivity are much more serious, such as gum disease. Have you been skipping flossing? Have you noticed your gums are puffy and dark red? Do your gums bleed when you brush them? These are all signs that you could have gum disease.
When gum disease progresses, it becomes known as periodontal disease. This disease causes gums to recede, which exposes the roots of teeth, causing extreme sensitivity to cold.
Flossing daily, brushing your gums, and scheduling regular cleaning sessions will help to prevent and treat gum disease. Additionally, tooth sensitivity caused by receding gums can be treated using a gum graft, where skin is removed from the top of your mouth and placed over exposed roots to reduce sensitivity.
If you recently started experiencing tooth sensitivity when consuming cold drinks or foods, see your dentist to help keep your smile healthy and comfortable. For more information, contact a business such as Crest Hill Family Dental.
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