Why are my teeth so sensitive to cold?
One of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity is root exposure. The tooth’s root surface becomes exposed as our gums recede from their original position. This recession exposes the root surface of the tooth which is covered with Cementum. The main causes of recession are gum disease, tooth positioning, aggressive brushing and grinding. The cementum covering the root surface is thinner than the enamel and porous allowing more sensations to reach the nerve of the tooth. When the sensations reach the nerve it causes pain. The pain is often very short but can be extreme. Some people have sensitivity when brushing or experience sharp pain when the tooth is touched by something cold, hot or sweet.
What can fix root exposure sensitivity?
The best way to fix root sensitivity is to prevent recession with good home care and routine dental visits. Once recession has occurred, we can only reverse the loss of the gum level with a gum grafting procedure (see the before and after photos). A few over the counter ways for you to help minimize the sensitivity include using a toothpaste specifically designed to help with root surface sensitivity. We consistently recommend Sensodyne toothpaste to our patients which contains potassium nitrate as the active ingredient. The potassium nitrate penetrates into the nerve of the tooth and diminishes the nerves responses to the stimuli (hots, cold and sweets). An alternative way to minimize tooth sensitivity is to use tooth paste with Stannous Fluoride. The fluoride will help to mineralize the cementum on the root surface preventive the stimuli from ever reaching the nerve itself. Both help equally to reduce sensitivity to hots, colds and sweets. Finally, at each cleaning visit you can ask your dentist and/or hygienist if you would be a good candidate for fluoride varnish treatment. This fluoride varnish is 5 times stronger than over the counter fluoride and helps both with sensitivity and prevention of cavities on both the enamel and the root surfaces.
If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, we would be glad to discuss your options.
Dr. Michael Tobian
Dr. Maurissa Kiefer
301 Lennon Lane, Suite 102
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
(925) 407-1155
By Drs. Tobian and Kiefer, Tobian Kiefer Dentistry