Why Your Teeth Feel Sensitive to Cold

Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common complaints we hear. It usually feels like a short, sharp twinge that fades quickly — and what causes it varies a lot from person to person.

How sensitivity happens

Under the hard outer enamel is a softer layer called dentine, which contains thousands of microscopic tubes leading toward the nerve. When enamel is worn away, or when the gum recedes and exposes the root, those tubes are open to the outside. Cold, heat, sweetness and even air can then reach the nerve and trigger the sensation.

Common reasons the dentine gets exposed

• Brushing too hard, or with a hard brush, over many years
• Gum recession
• Grinding or clenching, which wears the biting surfaces
• Frequent acidic food and drink
• A cracked tooth, a worn filling, or decay
• Short-term sensitivity after a filling, cleaning or whitening

What usually helps

A soft brush and a gentler technique, a desensitising toothpaste used consistently, and cutting back on very acidic drinks all help many people. Your dentist may also apply a protective varnish, repair a worn area, or recommend a night guard if grinding is the cause.

When it is more than sensitivity

See a dentist promptly if the pain lingers for more than a few seconds after the trigger is gone, if it wakes you at night, if it hurts to bite down, or if there is swelling. Those patterns can point to a problem inside the tooth that needs proper treatment rather than a change of toothpaste.