Teeth may be sensitive for all sorts of reasons, but if you frequently feel sharp pains after ingesting something cold, you may be suffering from enamel erosion. We at All Coast Dental hope that our patients’ teeth are in good health and serving them well. If you dread a cold glass of water or biting into a Popsicle, read on.
The outer layer of a dental crown is made of enamel. It is the hardest substance in the human body, being made up mostly of minerals, but is unable to regenerate lost material. Below the gum line, the outer layer of a tooth is made of a substance called cementum. It is sticky but thin and provides little insulation. The middle layer of a tooth is made of dentin, a yellow-brown porous substance made up of mini tubules that lead to the dental pulp. The pulp is made up of blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves, and heat is easily transferred out of it through dentin when a tooth is not sufficiently insulated, resulting in a shooting pain.
If a tooth is only sensitive when it comes into contact with something cold, the problem is likely thin enamel or recession of gum tissue around the root. These can be caused by oral bacteria secreting acid, or possibly from acid reflux. Brushing and flossing are crucial to preventing acidic erosion. A patient may also need a night guard to stop themselves from damaging their enamel by grinding their teeth in their sleep. We can help patients to obtain custom-fitted oral appliances and provide remineralization therapy for enamel that is in the process of eroding. Patients may also want to switch to extra-fluoridated toothpaste.
Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.
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