Tooth Hurts When Drinking Cold Water

You love to eat ice cream, we all do. However, do you suffer from a condition that you feel severe pain in your tooth when you bite or lick the ice cream? Or is drinking cold drinks a total no-no for you as you feel the similar pain on having cold drinks? This may be due to the sensitivity of your teeth.

Tooth sensitivity is a condition which is characterized by severe and sudden pain in the tooth which is triggered by cold or hot foods, drinks, or even by inhaling cold air.

If your tooth hurts when drinking cold water, you should consult the doctor to know the underlying causes for the same and get them treated immediately. Let us take a look at the possible causes and remedies for this condition.

The major cause for tooth pain, when exposed to cold products, is tooth sensitivity, also known as dentin hypersensitivity. The tooth becomes sensitive to cold or hot when the dentin or the layer under your tooth is exposed. Secondly, it can also occur when the cold water or food reaches the exposed nerve of your tooth.

The pain experienced may be temporary in minor cases; while one may even experience frequent and long-lasting pain if the cause of pain is a serious one. Following is a list of causes that can cause tooth sensitivity.

• Tooth decay (most common cause of sensitivity)
• Tooth infection
• Wearing of the tooth enamel because of brushing too hard
• An old filling in tooth is cracked or leaks
• Cavities not treated
• Receding gums
• Exposed roots of tooth

• Trauma or bump in the tooth
• Long term use of tooth whitening products
• Long term use of mouthwash
• Building up of plaque in the tooth

• Cracked or broken teeth
• Frequent grinding teeth
• Gum surgery where roots get exposed
• Frequent consumption of acidic foods and beverages
• Irreversible pulpitis
• Use of a hard toothbrush
• Poor oral hygiene

It is essential to get the underlying condition diagnosed and treated before the condition further deteriorates. If the sensitivity is caused due to tooth decay, the dentist will clear the tooth, and fill it. Filling the tooth and covering it with a crown will treat sensitivity and also prevent further decay.

Secondly, if the sensitivity is caused as a side effect of a recent tooth treatment, then you can inform the doctor and get the condition corrected immediately.

Thirdly, exposure of roots and irreversible pulpitis can be treated by root canal treatment. The doctor may also prescribe a desensitizing toothpaste or ointment to get rid of the sensitivity. Apart from this, there are several other remedies that help in treatment and prevention of conditions that result in tooth sensitive to cold.

They include:

• As hard or improper brushing is one of the reasons for having sensitive teeth, one should use a soft bristled toothbrush and brush carefully every day. Secondly, it is essential to maintain oral hygiene and cleanliness.

• It is not wise to use mouthwash and teeth whitening products frequently.
• You should avoid eating highly acidic foods like citrus foods, tomato and tomato containing products, etc. as they make teeth sensitive.
• Lastly, it is advisable to avoid very cold or very hot foods as they can affect the tooth enamel.

Following these remedies help in treating the condition. Lastly, it is recommended to visit your dentist regularly to have a dental checkup as it helps in quick diagnose of any disorder. Take care!