Tooth sensitivity when drinking something cold?

 The painful response of the teeth to certain thermal, chemical, or tactile stimuli in the face of some caries, defective restorations.

Dental sensitivity is the painful response of the teeth to certain thermal, chemical, or tactile stimuli in the face of specific caries, defective restorations, etc. This effect is produced by exposure of the dental root due to a retraction of the gums, a direction of the dentin due to a fracture, dental erosion derived from excessive consumption of acids or gastroesophageal reflux, or caries.

This affects 25% of the adult population. Several studies have shown that hot or cold foods (in addition to those rich in sugar) are more likely to cause this type of discomfort in people with sensitive teeth. Likewise, bacterial plaque is an aggravating factor that also produces dental hypersensitivity.  For this reason, although it may seem otherwise, patients must brush all teeth properly regardless of whether they have hypersensitivity. However, this can be done with warm water, touches with soft filaments, and specific hypersensitivity toothpaste that helps remineralize the teeth. On the other hand, "whitening" toothpaste should be avoided as they tend to be very abrasive and aggravate the problem. Diet is a fundamental aspect of dental hypersensitivity. Several foods promote this condition: ice cream (in addition to the discomfort caused by the cold, this food can cause cavities), alcoholic beverages (due to their high sugar content), carbonated beverages (the acid pH of these drinks erodes the enamel and dentin, which makes the appearance of dental hypersensitivity easier), coffee (due to its acidity), sweets (any variant causes dental sensitivity) and citrus fruits (since sometimes the saliva is not able to neutralize the acid well, so the teeth become more sensitive).

Dental hypersensitivity is not a typical symptom that should be ignored. The dentist will have to look for the cause of this hypersensitivity (caries, receding gums, dental erosion...) and look for the most appropriate treatment in each case.