Why is my tooth sensitive to cold?


Believe it or not there are a number of different reasons that teeth can become sensitive to cold. Yes one reason is that a tooth has a large cavity , but that's not the only possibility. In my experience teeth can also become cold sensitive because they have a crack, from tooth grinding, a periodontal abscess, after a deep cleaning,  acid re-flux, from erosion of cervical enamel, from mouth breathing (desiccated teeth are sensitive!) and tooth bleaching.

With the possible exception of a  cracked teeth, most of the time the cold sensitivity disappears when the condition causing it is cleared up

 For tooth grinding, wearing a night guard is often the solution. Once the night time pressure is taken off the sensitive tooth, symptoms subside.

If a cavity is fixed and the pulp is not exposed, usually the restored tooth is not sensitive to cold. Of course occasionally a deep cavity, after it is cleaned out and restored, may eventually need a root canal but not usually.

A Perio abscess can be associated with  cold sensitivity since the infection can expose new portions of the root to the oral environment and bacteria from the infection,but when the abscess is cleared up the sensitivity  most often gradually get better. Similarly, after a deep cleaning (root planning), patients, it is not unusual for patients to notice increase cold sensitivity but this gradually over a period of months also goes away.

Sensitivity associated with cervical erosion goes away usually after treatment with a filling that can cover exposed dentin. Another cure can be to apply daily flouride prescription flouride treatments to the exposed dentin (Prevident).

 People who breathe through their mouths can cause desiccation of their anterior teeth while sleeping, but his gradually improves as the day goes on and the teeth re-hydrate.

Cracked teeth are another matter entirely. Even when cracked teeth are repaired sometimes some sensitivity remains. Excavating the area by removing some of the crack and subsequently placing a sedative or interim filling can give some relief and crowning the tooth afterwards can help but for some cracked teeth the ultimate solution may be root canal or even and extraction ( for badly cracked teeth with cracks that extend into the floor of the pulp chamber).



from Ask Dr. Spindel - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/2018/08/why-is-my-tooth-sensitive-to-cold.html - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/

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