As winter drags on, you may have noticed the cold air causing pain in your teeth. This is a relatively common phenomenon that may require some extra attention. Read on for details!
Just like anything else, your teeth contract and expand as the temperature around you changes. It can cause tiny cracks in your teeth that, while not serious enough to affect tooth structure, can feel uncomfortable.
Certain fillings, like amalgam, can cause the pain to worsen since metal expands and contracts at a greater rate than natural teeth.
If you have exposed dentin due to your tooth enamel wearing away, then your teeth will become very sensitive. The enamel is essential to protecting your teeth from the elements.
If the pain is bothering you a lot, then we recommend seeing a dentist. They have a few techniques at their disposal to help you protect your sensitive teeth from the cold. The dentist will do a mouth examination and likely order a new set of x-rays to study.
If you have a cavity that has reached the pulp, then dental work will be required to fix the problem. Your dentist may test the pulp of your tooth to make sure that it’s still vital. You may be asked to bite down on hot and cold instruments to measure your teeth’s reaction.
Your dentist may also paint a protective varnish on your teeth. But if you’re lucky, then all you may need to do is switch to a sensitive toothpaste! Obviously, this is much better than dental work and the results could be satisfactory.
One of the best ways you can protect your teeth is by practicing good oral hygiene. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly to avoid tooth day. If you have sensitive teeth, then avoid whitening treatments and acidic food as they will exacerbate the problem.
