Don’t SCREAM for Ice Cream
Summertime is here which means sweets galore and lots of cool treats like ice cream.
Who doesn’t love ice cream??!?
You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy ice cream, and that’s kind of the same thing!
With its rich and creamy texture, endless supply of flavors and ability to be eaten year round, ice cream may possibly be the most perfect dessert ever devised by man.
If that isn’t reason enough to love ice cream, the ways you can indulge in this cool and refreshing treat are just as endless as its flavor possibilities. You can eat it on a cone, on a stick or in a bowl. You can sandwich it between cookies or have it made into a cake. It can be fried, shaken, or stacked high with a cherry on top and it can be served with root beer, or alongside your favorite pie, brownie or dessert of choice.
However, for some of you the reason you SCREAM for ice cream may not be all that enjoyable.
If eating ice cream or drinking cold drinks (such as milkshakes) make your teeth hurt, you are probably suffering from cold-sensitive teeth, but you are not alone. At least 45 million adults in the United States complain of suffering from sensitive teeth.
Have you ever wondered why? Here are a few reasons why you might be experiencing this common problem.
Tooth Decay or Gum Disease: If your cold-sensitive teeth also hurt when you aren’t eating or drinking something cold, you could be in the early stages of tooth decay or gum disease. Cold-sensitive teeth can occur when the nerves within the tooth are exposed due to receding gums or worn tooth enamel.
Overzealous Product Use: External factors that could cause cold-sensitive teeth include brushing your teeth to hard (we recommend using a soft toothbrush), overusing tooth whitening treatments, or acids from everyday food and drinks that can cause irreversible loss of your tooth enamel.
Grinding Teeth and Stress: Cold-sensitive teeth also can develop if excessive tooth grinding (bruxism) wears away the tooth enamel and exposes nerves. If you think that you are grinding your teeth, see your dentist to ask about options for how to protect your teeth.
Exposed Nerve Roots: The biological reason behind teeth sensitivity to cold starts in the pulp of the tooth. The nerves in the pulp make teeth sensitive to cold when tooth roots become exposed due to receding gums or gum disease.
Cracked Teeth: Over time, tiny cracks can develop as your teeth expand and contract with exposure to hot and cold temperatures. The cracks provide another pathway to the nerves, making the teeth sensitive to cold.
Receding Gums: If you notice persistent sensitivity to cold or heat in your teeth, give them a closer look. Check you gum line to see whether your gums are pulling away from your teeth. Receding gums can make it easier for feelings of hot and cold to travel to the nerves of your teeth.
If you are experience sensitivity to cold, schedule an appointment with your dentist to help you identify the reason. In the meantime, try to avoid cold or acidic foods, use a soft toothbrush and look for toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.
Teeth Sensitive to Cold: Crest
