When I BITE and SWALLOW a HUGE SCOOP of ICE CREAM, why do I get such SEVERE HEADACHE & TOOTHACHE for a MOMENT?

Question

I've accidentally done it several times.... not fun at all! The whole sensation is killing me from within!

What's actually happening here? Have you ever experienced it yourself?

Answer 1

as everyone else has already said it's called brain freeze but what no one has said it what causes it so here goes. It's caused by the sensitive blood vessels on your pallet (the roof of your mouth) getting too cold. Remember they are use to being kept at 98 degrees not the freezing temperatures of ice cream. The fastest way to relieve this symptom is to place your tongue on the roof of your mouth to warm it back up. You can also avoid the problem all together by placing your tongue on your mouth immediately after you swallow each bite. I think the person above me who said someone died from this is mis-informed it's pretty common and it happens to everyone if you could die from it 7-11 would have strict warning on Slurpees considering everyone gets a brain freeze when they drink a Slurpee.

Answer 2

This has something to do with the blood vessels and can be very serious. I do know someone (young lady) that died as a result of this. Try to never gulp such a big bit of something frozen.

Answer 3

thats coz ur teeth r week n when i say that i mean over sencitive have u done a dental job recently . when u suddenly eat somethin cold n then have somethin really hot ur nerves in ur teeth get a shok wich when hits ur brain u get a ach for a min till it subsides . if the temp of wat ur eatin gradully drops or rises it will not hurt u asin if u drink a 4digreethen 3digree then2digree1digree then a ice cream of 0digree ur teeth will not hurt coz the temp gradully drop n not suddenly

Answer 4

I would usually use an ice cream scoop, but if mine broke like they sometimes do I would use a regular spoon.

Answer 5

You've never heard of "brain freeze"?? It happens when you eat something frozen--to much, too fast.

And you can't "accidentally" do this. You should know by now how much is too much. Be more careful.

Answer 6

I think you might have sensitive teeth, or some kind of gum problem. Get yourself tested at the dentist.

Answer 7

THIS IS COMMONL CALLED "BRAIN FREEZE."
THIS OCCURS WHEN YOU HAVE RECEEDING GUMS IN YOUR MOLARS AND THE EXPOSED TOOTH IS SUBJECTED TO A SUDDEN RAPID TEMPERATURE DECREASE -- AS WHEN EATING ICE CREAM IN LARGE CHUNKS.
THE ANSWER IS EAT ICE CREAM IN SMALL AMOUNTS AND LET IT SLOWLY MELT IN THE MOUTH.

Answer 8

Sensory overload; otherwise known as "headfreeze", or "brainfreeze"