Do your teeth feel particularly sensitive, and you are not sure why? If so, it will help to know some reasons why this can happen to you.
Cold Temperature Changes
Be aware that exposure to cold outdoor temperatures can actually cause your teeth to feel sensitive. If you are sitting in your home with the temperature around 70°F, and then you step outside in the winter to temperatures that are below freezing, the cold air rushing over your teeth is going to cause them to feel sensitive. This is normal, but some people may experience it worse than others due to preexisting problems with their teeth.
Gum Recession
Do you have gum recession due to excessive tooth brushing or gum disease? This can cause the roots of your teeth to become exposed, and they are incredibly sensitive to things that are cold. This includes drinking cold beverages and eating cold foods.
Thin Teeth Enamel
It's possible that your teeth are more sensitive than other people's because you have thin enamel on your teeth, which can happen over time due to acid erosion. As the enamel becomes thinner on the outer layer of your teeth, you'll notice that they become more sensitive to things that are cold. Unfortunately, thin enamel is not something that can be fixed because once enamel is gone, it is gone forever. It's a part of your body that doesn't repair itself when it becomes damaged.
Tooth Trauma
Any tooth that is dying or damaged can feel sensitivity, with heat sensitivity being associated with an infection in your tooth. If the sensitivity started after some sort of trauma, such as being hit in your face with an object or hitting your mouth during a slip and fall, visit your dentist to have them look at the tooth.
Cavities
Many cavities do not have any symptoms when they are small, but large cavities can cause problems with sensitivity to cold foods. If you notice that the sensitivity is only happening in one tooth, it could be due to a cavity that needs to be filled. In addition, you could also have a filled cavity where the filling is failing and causing liquids to leak underneath the edges.
Grinding
If you have a habit of teeth grinding, it could be causing chips and cracks. If you have a history of grinding your teeth at night, consider wearing a night guard to protect them.
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