What is Cold Sensitivity? Causes, Prevention, and Myths
A sharp yet brief pain in your teeth while having an ice cream or cold beverage might indicate teeth sensitivity. Like hot or sweet sensitivity, this common oral problem can be very challenging.
It feels like a sharp and sudden pain in your teeth. It usually begins as mild discomfort but may become a bigger problem later. If it comes with other related symptoms, visit your dentist immediately.
What is Cold Sensitivity?
Cold sensitivity is a type of dentin hypersensitivity characterized by sharp tooth pain in response to freezing temperatures. The condition usually affects one or more teeth in the region, depending on the extent of tooth damage.
Now the question comes: what does cold teeth sensitivity feel like?
The most common sign of sensitivity is a sharp, sudden toothache, mostly caused by a shooting sensation. This pain is usually short-lived and disappears within a few minutes.
This pain can also be localized or generalized depending on the cause. Also, some people describe this pain as brain freeze or electric shock.
Common Causes of Cold Sensitivity
The following are the common causes of your teeth hurting after contact with cold foods or objects.
1- Enamel Erosion
Enamel is the outer protective layer of our teeth that prevents teeth from damage. However, tooth enamel can get damaged over time, resulting in erosion.
This enamel erosion can expose the tooth dentin, the tooth area that connects to the tooth nerve. When exposed to cold foods, the exposed dentin sends pain signals to the brain.
2- Receding Gums
Receding gums is more than just an aesthetic challenge. When gums pull back from the teeth area, it exposes certain tooth regions, such as roots, making them prone to cold sensitivity.
3- Cavities
The plaque formation on the tooth surface can eventually damage the tooth structure, exposing the inner teeth structure. A sharp pain arises when any cold substance comes in contact with the cavity holes.
4- Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding is another common oral health concern. Teeth grinding is another prominent cause of cold sensitivity as it damages the tooth surface by exposing dentin.
5- Dental Procedures
In some cases, going through common dental procedures is also a prominent cause of tooth sensitivity to cold. Dental fillings or tooth whitening procedures are a common example, as they temporarily make teeth sensitive to cold foods and temperatures.
Other than these, cracked or chipped teeth, gum diseases, and old dental restorations can also damage the tooth surface, resulting in cold sensitive teeth.
Read more about the details of these dental problems at Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, and educate yourself.
Cold vs. Hot Teeth Sensitivity – 5 Key Differences
Most people believe cold and hot sensitivity are the same, apart from the different stimuli. However, this is not the case. The following are the key differences between hot and cold sensitivity:
| Cold Sensitivity | Hot Sensitivity | |
| Symptom | Sharp pain in the teeth | Persistent pain after heat exposure |
| Duration | Short lived and quickly fades away | Short-lived and quickly fades away |
| Severity | Sharp and brief | More invasive and prevalent |
| Stimuli | Cold | Hot |
| Causes | Persists even after the stimulus is removed | Tooth decay, pulp infection, tooth cracks, etc. |
5 Common Myths About Cold Teeth Sensitivity – BUSTED!
There are many things about cold teeth sensitivity that you might believe are true but are some widespread myths. Let’s find out what these are:
Myth # 1: Cold Sensitivity Gets Worse with Time
While many people believe that cold sensitivity will get worse with time, depending on the cause of the problem, cold sensitivity can go on its own in some cases.
Myth # 2: Cold Sensitivity Always Indicates a Serious Dental Problem
Cold sensitivity can occur for different reasons. However, suffering from sensitivity after eating cold food isn’t always a warning sign. Sometimes, it can be a side effect of a small-scale dental procedure that does not indicate something serious.
Myth # 3: It Only Affects Adults
The problem of teeth sensitivity is certainly more common in adults than in children. This nurtured the popular belief that it only affects adults, which is not true.
Both kids and adults may suffer from the problem, but the cause and severity may vary. Children aged 10-20 years are more prone to developing such problems.
Myth # 4: Teeth Sensitivity Equally Affects Males and Females
No! This is not true.
Gender certainly plays a significant role in determining the probability of suffering from the problem. According to the studies, women are more prone to dentin hypersensitivity. This is possible because of the hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause.
Myth # 5: Desensitizing Toothpaste Only Masks the Symptoms
While desensitizing toothpaste is one of the recommended solutions to the problem, many people believe it masks the symptoms.
These toothpastes work on the nerve pathway and block the pain signal, lessening teeth sensitivity. These contain potassium nitrate that can also prevent the recurrence of cold sensitivity.
Cold Sensitivity Treatments
The following are some possible treatment options against cold-sensitive teeth:
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste that blocks nerve pathways and reduces cold sensitivity.
- Apply OTC pain-relieving medicines or gels
- Applying dental sealants or fluoride gel to reduce sensitivity
- Specific treatments, depending on the cause (gum grafting, mouthguard, root canal, etc.)
8 Ways to Prevent Cold Sensitivity with Better Lifestyle Choices
The good part about cold sensitivity is that you can overcome or lessen the severity by improving lifestyle practices. These include:
- Avoid overconsumption of sugary beverages or acidic foods.
- Don’t consume cold and hot foods in succession, as it could trigger sensitivity.
- Be mindful of your rushing techniques, and don’t brush too hard.
- Don’t use teeth whitening products that contain bleaching agents.
- Using teeth as tools is a big no.
- Avoid teeth grinding.
- Overcome vitamin D and vitamin B-12 deficiency.
- Keep up with your fluoride and calcium intake to strengthen your teeth.
With all these precautions, visit your dentist regularly.
