When cold makes a tooth hurt
You sip an iced coffee on your way to work, or bite into ice cream, and a quick, sharp zing shoots through a tooth. That is a common worry, and many people ask us about it. Sensitivity can happen at any age.
A few changes at home often ease it. Sometimes, though, it is a sign that a tooth needs care, so it helps to know the likely causes and when to come in.
What is happening inside the tooth
Each tooth has a hard outer layer called enamel. Under it is a softer layer called dentin, full of tiny tubes that lead to the nerve in the centre of the tooth.
The root, the part below the gum line, has no enamel. A thin layer covers it instead, and that layer wears away more easily.
When enamel wears thin, or your gums pull back and uncover the root, the dentin is left open. Cold, heat, sweet foods or even cold air can then reach the nerve through those tubes. You feel the zing, and it often fades within a few seconds.
Common causes
Sensitivity can have more than one cause. A few of the usual ones are:
- Brushing too hard or with a hard-bristled toothbrush, which can wear enamel and push gums back
- Gum recession, where the gums pull away and show part of the root
- A cavity, a cracked tooth, or a filling that has worn down or broken
- Grinding or clenching your teeth, often during sleep
- Acidic foods and drinks, such as pop, citrus fruit, sports drinks and wine
- Teeth whitening, which makes some people sensitive for a short time
- Recent dental work, which may leave a tooth tender for a while
If you grind or clench at night, a custom nightguard may help protect your teeth. Our nightguards page has more about them.
What you can try at home
For mild sensitivity, small changes often help. You may want to:
- Use a soft toothbrush and brush gently in small circles instead of scrubbing
- Try a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth, and use it daily for a few weeks
- Spit after brushing instead of rinsing, so more of the fluoride stays on your teeth
- Have acidic drinks with a meal, then rinse with water
- Wait about 30 minutes after something acidic before you brush, since enamel can be softer right after
- Breathe through your nose on cold days if chilly air sets off a tooth
These steps may ease the feeling. They don't repair a cavity, a crack or a worn filling, though, so it helps to have sensitive teeth checked, especially if the feeling is new.
When to see a dentist
It is a good idea to book a visit if sensitivity lasts more than a couple of weeks, keeps getting worse, or is only in one tooth.
Please also come in if the ache lingers after the cold is gone, if a tooth hurts when you bite, or if it aches on its own. Pain that hangs on after something hot or cold may mean the nerve inside the tooth is irritated. Having it looked at early can often keep the care simpler.
If you have swelling in your face or jaw along with a fever, or any trouble swallowing or breathing, go to an emergency department or call 911 right away.
What happens at your visit
Before you come in, it can help to notice which foods, drinks or moments set off the zing. At the visit we ask where and when you feel it, then look closely at your teeth and gums.
We may gently test the tooth with a puff of air or a touch of cold, and take x-rays if needed.
Care depends on the cause. We might paint fluoride varnish on the sensitive spot, place a filling to cover an exposed area or replace a worn one, or make a nightguard if you grind.
If your gums have pulled back, we may talk with you about gum treatment. We explain your choices in plain words, and you decide what feels right.
If cold drinks have been making you wince, give us a call or book a visit whenever it suits you. Our team would be glad to take a look and talk with you about ways to ease it.