Tooth Sensitivity to Hot and Cold

Tooth sensitivity can occur for a wide range of reasons. Pinpointing the cause of oral discomfort enables dentists to offer effective restorative dentistry treatment or recommend the appropriate preventive care. At Eagle Gate Dental, Dr. James Wright will conduct a dental exam to identify the cause of your sensitivity. He will discuss your symptoms with you, review your dental X-rays, and perform an oral exam to determine if a dental problem is present. One type of oral discomfort that is quite common is tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. Contact our Salt Lake City, UT practice to schedule an exam.

Common Symptoms

Patients that have developed tooth sensitivity to hot and cold may feel sharp, short-lived pain in a single tooth or a group of teeth. This discomfort may be caused when breathing in cold air, drinking a glass of ice water, taking a sip of hot tea, or eating ice cream or extremely hot food. When you come to our office for an exam, we will ask you to detail the symptoms you are experiencing and indicate the tooth or area of the mouth that is affected.

Possible Causes and Treatments

There are several possible causes of tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, each of which requires specific treatment.

Gum Recession

Gum recession occurs as a result of gum disease, aggressive brushing of the teeth, or chronic teeth grinding. The gums are the only protective barrier that prevents outside elements from coming into contact with root’s nerves. As the gums recede and expose the roots, they become sensitive to hot and cold.

To treat gum recession, we may use a composite on the root or refer you to an oral surgeon for a gum graft.

Enamel Erosion

Tooth enamel is the outer layer of the tooth that protects the tooth’s crown. The enamel can wear as a result of aggressive brushing of the teeth, chronic teeth grinding, certain bad dental habits, and excessive consumption of acidic foods and drinks. As the enamel wears, the tooth’s nerves become exposed, causing sensitivity to hot and cold.

Enamel erosion may be treated with dental bonding, veneers, or crowns. If you habitually grind your teeth, we may recommend use of a custom mouth guard to prevent further enamel erosion.

Cavity

In most cases, cavities do not result in any noticeable symptoms. However, if the cavity is allowed to progress, it may eventually result in some oral discomfort.

To treat cavities, we may recommend a dental filling, inlay, onlay, or crown.

Loose Filling

A loose filling can expose the tooth’s nerves to outside elements, causing tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. If you have an old or worn filling, we can replace it with a durable tooth-colored composite filling.

Tooth Fractures

Tooth fractures, or cracks, can also expose the tooth’s nerves. As hot and cold substances come into contact with the nerves, it can cause tooth sensitivity. To treat a tooth fracture, we may use composite resin or a porcelain crown.

To find out the cause of your tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, contact Eagle Gate Dental today.