Teeth sensitive to cold and hot, what to do?

1. Why are teeth sensitive to cold?

2. What causes hot sensitive teeth?

3. Pain lasting more or less than 15 seconds, when should you be concerned?

4. How to prevent pain related to sensitive teeth?

5. What solutions to soothe dental hypersensitivity?

Do you want to treat yourself to a good ice cream but instead of enjoying yourself, it ends in intense pain? A poor reaction of your teeth to cold or heat is usually a sign of hypersensitivity . 🥶

People affected by this condition will have difficulty enjoying their favorite drinks or foods. Present in approximately 15% of the adult population, sensitive teeth have their origins in several phenomena. 🧐

Where does this problem come from and how can you reduce its symptoms? We tell you everything about the causes, consequences and treatments of sensitive teeth .

Dental sensitivity corresponds to more or less significant discomfort and pain that appears when the teeth are in contact with hot or cold foods. This is a condition that can affect one or more teeth, mainly the maxillary premolar canines. Generally speaking, this phenomenon is reminiscent of tooth decay. However, it can be a symptom of tooth sensitivity. 🤕

Indeed, the living part of the tooth which includes nerve endings called the tooth pulp is covered with dentin. The latter is protected by enamel which is in turn surrounded by gum. However, it is possible that the latter becomes detached and no longer provides protection to the other parts. Likewise, dental enamel can become detached from the pulp when the gums become detached and roll up , leading to the risk of tooth loss . 👄

This results in the exposure of dentin and all the nerve endings of the teeth. This is where dental sensitivity occurs since the soft part of the tooth is exposed to external agents. Thus, in contact with cold, heat, sugar or even acid, the nerve connections cause intense afflictions and sometimes even pain in the gums .

Exposure of dentin causes teeth to be sensitive to hot or cold. Thus, knowing the causes of dental hypersensitivity means identifying the phenomena that caused the enamel to detach.

For dentin to be exposed to external agents, the gum must retract. And for this, the cause is generally linked to gum disease, it is also one of the symptoms of gingivitis . Gingivitis should not be confused with periodontitis (even if you risk both), or even in certain cases severe periodontitis .

However, it is possible to reduce the risks of this disease by knowing the foods to avoid to prevent periodontitis.

If left untreated, gum inflammation can affect the tooth root. Thus, the upper part of the teeth will gradually separate from the lower part. 🦷

Although brushing contributes to oral health , poor technique can easily affect the gums and promote root absorption. Similarly, using a hard bristle brush can also be the cause of teeth being sensitive to heat. 🪥

This is why it is important to pay attention to the quality of the brush you use. On this subject, the electronic variation collection is made up of toothbrushes that are both powerful and soft. This allows you to benefit from effective cleaning without damaging your gums and without causing gingival inflammation .

Poor oral hygiene can also be the cause of tooth sensitivity. When the mouth is poorly maintained, this encourages the appearance of dental plaque on the teeth. This will help bacteria to grow easily and reach the gums. Once weakened, the gum will no longer be able to play its protective role on dentin. 🦠

Especially since, if this layer is not eliminated, it will turn into tartar, which should be avoided at all costs! You will have understood, tartar and dental plaque must be eradicated !

Certain tooth whitening treatments (hydrogen peroxide for example... also called hydrogen peroxide ) can also harm enamel and cause teeth to be sensitive to touch , or to hot and cold. Likewise, scaling that is a little too powerful can cause intense discomfort. However, in most cases this is a temporary affliction. 🕰

Beyond these phenomena, increased sensitivity to hot or cold may be due to:

Pain linked to tooth sensitivity generally appears upon contact with cold or hot foods. Thus, the duration of the harm can be an indicator of the extent of the problem.

If the soreness lasts less than 15 seconds after consumption, it probably means the problem is not serious. It may be sensitivity linked to enamel wear, decay, or a loose filling. ☝️ In this case, he advises consulting your dentist in order to prevent possible complications. In general, medical attention is not necessary in this case. 🩺

On the other hand, if you have pain for more than 15 seconds after tasting, it is very likely that the damage is more significant. The pulp is certainly damaged and the causes can be numerous. We can think of deep tooth decay, a tooth fracture, or a dental infection. 😱

Here you should schedule a visit to your dentist as soon as possible. The latter must then carry out in-depth examinations and initiate medical treatment as quickly as possible. 💊

To prevent pain related to sensitive teeth, it is important to prevent the onset of this disease. First of all, you must observe good dental hygiene and know how to brush your teeth well in order to avoid the development of plaque.

To do this, you must brush daily with a soft brush. At this level, electric toothbrushes have many benefits , but it is those from the young French brand MyVariations that caught our attention, because they are ideal for protecting your oral health. 👌

Discover our toothbrushes

With their flexible soft nylon bristles, these toothbrushes will take care of your teeth while respecting your gums. The sonic technology they use is also much gentler on the gum tissue than rotary technology (round brushes), but still offers ultra-effective and very complete brushing. In any case, if you have dental problems, you should choose sonic technology over rotary technology .

In addition, you should choose a desensitizing toothpaste composed of potassium nitrate and fluoride, which is good for your case . These allow in particular to strengthen the teeth by attaching to the nerve endings of the dentin. This protects it against external attacks. In addition, they ensure the re-mineralization of the enamel and help prevent cavities . 😷

Furthermore, to prevent the discomfort associated with sensitive teeth , you can opt for a well-chosen fluoridated mouthwash . Or, you can turn to more basic solutions such as analgesics or anti-inflammatories. Finally, you should be careful not to eat foods that are too cold, too hot or acidic. Since these are the main triggers of evil. 🔥

To soothe hypersensitivity of the teeth , you must be impeccable in terms of the hygiene of your mouth. Choose a toothbrush suitable for teeth sensitive to hot or cold. Make sure its hair is soft and change it frequently. 🪥

Likewise, the well-chosen toothpaste should be intended for sensitive teeth. It will help you prevent pain linked to dentin hypersensitivity. Products rich in flowers are preferred. Whether in the choice of your toothpaste or your mouthwash. 🧪

Beyond the choice of products, you must also adopt good brushing technique to brush your teeth correctly . Above all, avoid brushing vigorously so as not to affect the root.

Bruxism (the act of grinding your teeth) particularly promotes premature wear of your teeth. Furthermore, you should stay away from overly acidic foods or drinks that attack the enamel. Make sure you maintain a good routine of oral hygiene and dental visits to maintain your health. 👩‍⚕️