What's Making My Teeth Sensitive to Hot and Cold?

There’s nothing like chugging down an ice-cold drink on a hot day to cool off, just like a hot cup of jo can make you feel a little warmer on cold days. But instead of taking part in these soothing rituals, you avoid hot and cold foods and drinks because of sensitive teeth. 

If you’re tired of dealing with teeth that respond to temperature extremes with pain, you’re in the right place. The team here at Baton Rouge Perio, led by Dr. Jenny Herman and Dr. Barry Biner, focuses on periodontitis (gum disease) which counts tooth sensitivity among the many side effects.

Here’s a look at what might be behind your sensitive teeth and how we can get you back to enjoying a glass of cold lemonade this summer.

What makes teeth sensitive

The teeth you see above your gumline (the crowns) are covered by a strong layer of enamel, which protects and shields the dentin inside your teeth. While your enamel is the hardest substance in your body, your dentin is pretty tough, too — it’s a form of calcified tissue that’s harder than bone.

The primary roles of dentin are to give structure to your tooth and to house the nerves that service your teeth. So, when dentin is exposed or vulnerable, it can lead to tooth pain and sensitivity.

Some of the possible culprits behind this overexposure of your dentin include:

• Brushing too vigorously
• Grinding your teeth 
• Cracks or chips in your teeth
• Teeth whitening
• Gum recession
• Gum disease

As periodontic specialists, we can attest that gum recession and gum disease are two of the leading drivers of sensitive teeth.

Gum health and sensitive teeth

For the 1 in 2 men and the 1 in 3 women age 30 and older in the United States who have some degree of gum disease, tooth sensitivity is a common side effect.

Even in the earliest stages of gum disease — gingivitis — bacteria can gather around your gumline and cause inflammation. As they make their way under your gums, the bacteria eat away at the hard and soft tissues, causing your gums to recede and separate from your teeth and. 

When your gums recede, it can expose the roots of your teeth, and these roots aren’t protected by enamel. As a result, more of your dentin is exposed, which leads to tooth sensitivity.

Tooth decay can also lead to tooth sensitivity as your enamel is damaged, exposing your sensitive dentin.

Finding relief from your sensitive teeth

As dental health specialists, we view tooth sensitivity as a wake-up call that your teeth can use some support. If tooth decay or gum disease is starting to take hold, we want to act as quickly as possible to preserve your gums and teeth.

The tricky part is that gum recession can be difficult to reverse, so we need to act quickly. Through deep cleanings, we can clear away bacteria-harboring plaque and put an end to the erosion in the hard and soft tissues in your mouth.

So, as an early warning flag, tooth sensitivity is one issue that you shouldn't ignore. 

If you want to get on the road to having that scoop of ice cream without cringing in pain, please feel free to schedule an appointment at our office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.