Have your teeth ever hurt after eating something really cold, or really hot? This is very common, and happens when a sensitive layer of your teeth has been exposed, ultimately causing pain.
But you aren’t just at risk for this type of discomfort because of your diet. During the winter, your teeth contract in response to intense cold weather. This can lead to cracks in your teeth and cause the same type of pain that you experience when you bite into ice cream. Take a look at how the cold can affect your teeth, how this relates to winter weather, and what you can do to fix aches and sensitive teeth or nerves.
Can Cold Weather Make My Teeth Hurt?
Yes, cold weather can make your teeth hurt. In response to extreme heat and cold, your teeth expand and contract. Over time, this can lead to cracks in your teeth, exposing the vulnerable microscopic tubes beneath your enamel. This is the same tooth pain you feel because of cavities, gum disease, and other bad oral habits.
This layer below the enamel is called dentin. It’s the “core” of your teeth, with the enamel covering the top of this layer and the gums covering the bottom portion. Unfortunately, the dentin is covered in nerve fibers. Therefore, any problems with your enamel or gums, such as periodontal disease, could leave you vulnerable to cold weather pain.
Weather sensitivity can occur regardless of how well you care for your teeth, but you’re at greater risk if you don’t practice good oral hygiene and live in an area that has extreme temperature swings. To minimize sensitivity, you should learn about the common causes for sensitive teeth and what you should do when you notice pain because of the cold weather.
Common Culprits Responsible for Seasonal Sensitive Teeth
Your dentin could be exposed for a number of reasons. People often wear down their enamel or suffer from receding gums and tooth sensitivity because of one of the following reasons:
- Periodontal disease: Diseases of the gums, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone can expose the dentin and cause sensitivity. Gingivitis is one of the earliest stages of periodontal disease.
- Brushing too vigorously: You may think that you need to bear down hard to remove surface stains, but brushing with too much force can start to wear down your enamel.
- Clenching and grinding: Some people may clench or grind their teeth in their sleep. This can wear down tooth enamel and lead to sensitivity.
- Tooth decay: Sensitivity to cold is an early sign of an undetected tooth decay problem. If you start to experience tooth pain, go see a dentist.
- Tooth whitening agents: Have you started using a new tooth-whitening agent? The ingredients that make your teeth whiter may strip past surface stains and start wearing down your enamel. If the agent starts hurting your teeth, stop the treatment and consult with your dentist.
- Acidic beverages: Sodas, coffee, tea, and other drinks with a high concentration of acid, such as juices, can erode your teeth and expose the dentin layer.
- Other lifestyle habits: Other bad oral health habits, such as using tobacco products or not brushing or flossing properly, can cause your gums to recede. When this happens, the dentin at the base of the gums is exposed and can lead to temperature-sensitive teeth.
Your Dental Health
When it comes to your health, trust in the dentists at Dental Made Easy. Dental Made Easy is the best dental practice in the Forest Hills, Queens, NY 11375 area and we are open on Sundays as well as late evenings. Our new office in Garden City, 11040 is opened and accepting new patients. It is located at 2374 Jericho Turnpike, Garden City NY 11040. We are the best dental practice in Long Island, with 5 star reviews on Google and Yelp. For a teeth cleaning or exam, we recommend coming into the office to book an appointment with one of our talented dental professionals. All new patients may also take advantage of our $99 Cleaning Special that includes an exam and x-rays. To set up your appointment give us a call at (718)-507-7781 for the Forest Hills office and (516) 588-6622 for the Garden City Park office. We also welcome walk-ins, to accommodate patients with a busy schedule. We hope to see you soon!
