“Why are my teeth so sensitive to different temperatures?”
I am a student and I have perfect teeth. Lately, it seems that my teeth have become extremely sensitive to different temperatures. If something is too hot or too cold, it makes my teeth hurt. I tried using one of those "sensitive" toothpaste, but nothing seems to work. What can I do to fix the problem?
17 Answers
Lately, I have been asked about teeth sensitivity. Visit your dentist, review flossing and brushing. You are a student. You are busy. Are you flossing and brushing your tooth - gum line area back and forth gently? See your dentist and talk about your sensitivity. Asked to be checked for gum issues. There are reasons for sensitive teeth. In most cases, improper flossing and brushing is related as a contributing factor. Flossing vigorously and brushing hard can be irritating. Some mouthwashes can also be irritating. Try warm salt water. Clean your tongue and gargle. It seems like your problem gradually started. While you are waiting for your appointment with your dentist watch what you are eating and drinking. These are a few things you can do.
Ah, a student! Congratulations. There are many factors that can cause teeth to be temperature sensitive. Grinding and clenching (called bruxism) can make all teeth hypersensitive. Also, over-vigorous brushing can expose the root surfaces of the teeth by brushing away the thin gum tissue overlying them... or actually brushing away some tooth structure! A Sensodyne-type toothpaste is the most conservative thing you can use...along with switching to an Oral B or Sonicare type of toothbrush.
Let your dentist to exam your teeth.
Because of the many different things that can cause sensitive teeth, you must consult your dentist about it. Meanwhile, avoid extreme temperatures
The sensitive toothpaste will usually help within about 2 weeks, but don't use any other type of toothpaste. Also, no bleaching or tooth whitening products. If this continues talk to your dentist.
Discuss this with your dentist. If you are under a lot of stress you may be grinding or clenching and causing the enamel to break down at the gum line. This can expose the inner portion of the tooth (called dentin) which can be very sensitive. You may also have recession, your gums migrate away from the chewing surface of the tooth exposing part of the root which is not meant to be exposed. Just like the dentin, this root surface can be very sensitive. Your dentist can prescribe a concentrated fluoride toothpaste to help with the sensitivity or apply a medication at the office.
You should be evaluated for possible cavities by a dentist.
You definitely have to check the problem with your dentist. Even if your teeth seem perfect to you there can be some hidden reasons like clenching teeth or gum recession.
Sometimes small areas of the root surfaces near the gum line of teeth are exposed to cause this type of sensitivity. There are agents that can be applied in the dental office to treat and sometimes eliminate this. Sensitivity toothpastes should also be used even after this treatment is done.
I recommend that you visit your dentist in order to define the reason for the sensitivity. Some possibilities are: you might have gum recession and that would be causing the sensitivity or you might have some cavities in between your teeth that is causing the sensitivity.
Your mostly like cause for the sudden sensitivity is the starting of gingival recession. These can be caused by different factors but most likely it has to do with your teeth brushing. You need to make sure you are brushing your bristles of your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle down into the gumlines of your teeth not directly at them. Also, the type of toothbrush you are using like extra soft, soft, medium and hard matter. Always the softer the better. Lastly, the pressure you are applying when brushing needs to be light, steady, and consistent. Using a prescription toothpaste like Prevident for sensitivity or going to your dentist and getting fluoride varnish applied to your teeth will help tremendously with your sensitivity. Best of luck!
Dear “perfect teeth,”
I am sure that you have nice teeth but in over 40 years as a dentist, I have never met anyone with “perfect” teeth. Having established that, I can tell you that tooth sensitivity is usually a sign that the nerve inside the tooth has been aggravated. The cause of this could be anything from decay, to acidic foods, to tooth whitening agents, to a new toothpaste. You can also damage a tooth just by going to temperature extremes with the foods you ingest.
My suggestion is to go see your dentist so that he or she can help pinpoint the problem and then provide a remedy.
I am sure that you have nice teeth but in over 40 years as a dentist, I have never met anyone with “perfect” teeth. Having established that, I can tell you that tooth sensitivity is usually a sign that the nerve inside the tooth has been aggravated. The cause of this could be anything from decay, to acidic foods, to tooth whitening agents, to a new toothpaste. You can also damage a tooth just by going to temperature extremes with the foods you ingest.
My suggestion is to go see your dentist so that he or she can help pinpoint the problem and then provide a remedy.
Teeth being sensitive can be caused bye different thanks. One can be some exposure of the root structure which is 50% living versus the enamel being only one percent that will cause sensitivity. Secondly I find when patients overtime accumulate plaque and tartar teeth become extra sensitive and after a cleaning thus is improved greatly. Lastly I don’t recommend Desensitizing toothpaste as I think the chemicals are not unhealthy.
Best Regards,
Dr. Mark Berkowitz
Best Regards,
Dr. Mark Berkowitz
Hello there,
I have consulted a doctor regarding your question, and she feels there may be a couple different reasons for your recent sensitivity, but with out a closer look it is hard to be 100% sure.
Sometimes decay cannot be seen by the eye, but a radiograph can show what's going on in the inside. Also, if it has been a while since your last cleaning, that can also cause some sensitivity.
Thank you!
Shelby
I have consulted a doctor regarding your question, and she feels there may be a couple different reasons for your recent sensitivity, but with out a closer look it is hard to be 100% sure.
Sometimes decay cannot be seen by the eye, but a radiograph can show what's going on in the inside. Also, if it has been a while since your last cleaning, that can also cause some sensitivity.
Thank you!
Shelby
Sensitivity can be developed due to 2 main factors: 1 is having problems with the tooth structure that can happen in less calcium levels, less fluoride in toothpaste, or gum inflammation. These are the main causes of tooth structure getting defective and leaky, which leads to sensitivity and another is habits like having different temperature foods at the same time that tests the sensitivity, and naturally, we have protection layers on the tooth structure. After a while, they become less resistant to the temperature, therefore, sensitivity develops. All the factors seem easy to find, but for that you need to visit your dentist so that he can find out what could be the cause of your sensitivity.
If you have gotten a dental exam and know that you have no underlying dental issues, there is a prescription toothpaste you can use that will probably provide you more relief (Prevident Sensitive).
Hi there,
First the obvious: visit the dentist and make sure you are cavity free! Second, it sounds like a possible sign of Bruxism and/or clenching. Being a student comes with newfound stresses and you may require a night guard! Visit your dentist either way to get symptom-free.
Hope this helps.
First the obvious: visit the dentist and make sure you are cavity free! Second, it sounds like a possible sign of Bruxism and/or clenching. Being a student comes with newfound stresses and you may require a night guard! Visit your dentist either way to get symptom-free.
Hope this helps.
