2007-01-18 03:22:02 · 7 answers · asked by Marble Magic 3 in Health ➔ Dental
Pulp is the nerves and blood vessels rigidly confined within the tooth. If they swell, the tooth becomes a pressure cooker, and pain rapidly escalates. The general rule is that if your pulp is irritated beyond a certain point, cold water will actually make the situation worse. There are many things that cause sensitive teeth:
1) Minor to moderate tooth decay - cold water will not help, but will not necessarily make it worse. Filling will resolve it.
2) Moderate to Deep Tooth Decay - if the pulp is aggravated by the tooth decay (which is for all purposes, an infection of the tooth), then cold water will make the sensitivity worse. Only dental treatment will resolve the issue.
3) Cracked tooth - This situation demands dental treatment, probably a crown, and maybe a root canal. For severely cracked teeth, the tooth would need extraction. Cold water will not help, and could aggravate the already irritated pulp within the tooth.
4) Gum recession - the more sensitive roots are exposed when the gums recede. Putting your fingernail on the root will hurt, too. Higher fluoride use (GelKam and Rx toothpastes) or potassium nitrate (Sensodyne) may help. Your dentist may recommend sealants, fillings, or fluoride varnishes to desensitize the area. Rinsing with cold water will not help.
5) Grinding and clenching - known as bruxism by dentists. The extra strain and wear exposes microscopic tubules in your teeth, making them more sensitive. A nightguard may address the wear on the teeth and slow the increase in sensitivity. You may need a desensitizing toothpaste and/or dental treatments on any exposed roots. Cold water will not help.
Come to think of it, cold water doesn't seem to help for ANY common cause of tooth sensitivity. Some practical suggestions:
1) Get a thorough dental checkup - make absolutely sure that there are no untreated dental problems. You can use sensodyne until the cows come home, but if you have a cracked tooth or tooth decay, it won't help.
2) Use a desensitizing toothpaste or fluoride rinse. Sensodyne is the most popular name brand, but many other sensitivity products exist. Higher fluoride and/or potassium nitrate are the active ingredients in most desensitizers.
2007-01-18 03:44:38 · answer #1 · answered by theSimpleTooth 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No honey...
When you have sensitive teeth, all you need to do is to rinse your mouth with lukewarm water, because if you use cold water the will make the enamel of your teeth even more sensitive.
You can get a sensodyne/sensodyme toothpaste from the pharmacies, which will reduce the sensitivenss in your teeth.
2007-01-18 03:26:53 · answer #2 · answered by Pat 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, and exposure to it will probably hurt. You should find out the underlying cause of the sensitivity in case its infection. You can get sensitivity toothpastes from any store and your dentist can also prescribe special toothpaste to help with this.
2007-01-18 03:30:32 · answer #3 · answered by gmug9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you buy a toothpaste like Sensodyne or Colgate Sensitive and it will lessen your sensitivity over time.
2007-01-18 03:44:17 · answer #4 · answered by WiserAngel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sensitive toothpaste is your best bet or baking soda.
Rinse under cold is okay.
2007-01-18 03:24:52 · answer #5 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would think it would make it worse. I use sensitive tooth paste and use warm water, as the cold seems worse. This helps tremendously...
2007-01-18 03:31:01 · answer #6 · answered by chazzer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you most likely have an exposed nerve under your gum. It doesn't even have to mean that your gums are badly receding, some gum nerves can just indiscriminately longer then usual. I'm 43 and I've had one for the past 2 years. I've been to the dentist, and no cavities were found. I also use Sensodine toothpaste, and it still hurts when I drink cold liquids, or brush that tooth wt my electric toothbrush. Does anyone know of a way to take care of this. According to my dentist, my teeth and gums are in good health, and I fully trust that he is a good dentist. My gums are a 2.5, where a 5 means gingivitis. He told me that that number is okay for my age. He didn't mention anything about a need for a root canal. I just wish I could enjoy a cold drink once in a while once again. Any advice?
2016-03-14 07:33:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is no. Use Sensodyne toothpaste but make sure it doesn't have peroxide or whiteners.
2007-01-18 03:51:35 · answer #8 · answered by Nett 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋