Does cold water, ice cream or hot tea make your teeth hurt? Learn the common causes of tooth sensitivity and how a dentist in Mohali can treat it.
A sudden sharp pain when you drink cold water, eat ice cream or sip hot tea is one of the most common reasons people search for a dentist near me. This is called tooth sensitivity, and while it is very common, it is also a sign that something in your mouth needs attention.
What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?
Your teeth are protected by a hard outer layer called enamel, and the roots are covered by the gums. Underneath is a softer layer called dentin, which has tiny channels leading to the nerve. When dentin is exposed, hot, cold, sweet or sour foods can reach the nerve and cause pain. Common causes include:
- Worn enamel from brushing too hard or using a hard toothbrush
- Receding gums that expose the tooth roots
- Tooth decay (cavities) or broken fillings
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Teeth grinding, especially at night
- Acidic foods and drinks such as soft drinks, citrus and pickles
Simple Things You Can Do at Home
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently in small circles
- Switch to a desensitising toothpaste and use it regularly for a few weeks
- Avoid brushing immediately after acidic foods; wait at least 30 minutes
- Reduce soft drinks and very sour foods
When Should You See a Dentist?
If sensitivity lasts more than a week or two, affects one particular tooth, or the pain lingers for several seconds after the cold or hot food is gone, visit a dentist. Lingering pain can mean the nerve is inflamed, and treating it early may prevent the need for a root canal.
How Dentists Treat Sensitive Teeth
Treatment depends on the cause. Your dentist may recommend a fluoride varnish or desensitising agent, a tooth-coloured filling to cover exposed dentin or a cavity, gum treatment or gum grafting for receding gums, or a night guard if you grind your teeth. If the nerve is badly affected, painless root canal treatment can relieve the pain and save the tooth.
Sensitive teeth are not something you have to live with. A quick check-up can find the cause and the right solution.
Related treatment: read more about Root Canal Prevention in Mohali at Urja Dental Clinic.
Book a Visit at Urja Dental Clinic, Mohali
If you have any of these concerns, book a consultation at Urja Dental Clinic, S.S.S. (Bay Shop) 74, Sector 60, Phase 3B2, Mohali. We are easy to reach from Phase 3B1, Phase 5, Phase 7, Kharar and Chandigarh. Call +91 86999 69619 or +91 78890 93147, or book online.
