The "Ice Cream Toothache": How to Deal with Tooth Sensitivity to Cold Food and Drinks

Summer sunshine calls for longer days and warmer nights, making us gravitate towards colder food and drinks. However, for some of us, biting down on ice cream or having a sip of a cold beverage can trigger a jolt of pain. Tooth sensitivity towards cold foods and drinks is caused when the nerves within your tooth are "exposed due to receding gums or worn tooth enamel." The worn-down enamel exposes the dentin, an underlying layer in your tooth structure, to be exposed and that exposes nerve endings to the oral environment. When your tooth comes into contact with cold foods and beverages, this can cause pain. This is known as dentin hypersensitivity.

A recent scientific study has discovered the reason why some of us feel pain when eating or drinking something cold. They found a specific gene, called TRPC5, that resides within cells found between the soft inner pulp and the hard outer layers of dentin and enamel of the tooth. This gene triggers a nerve response to cold. "When someone with a dentin-exposed tooth bites down on a popsicle, for example, those TRPC5-packed cells pick up on the cold sensation and an 'ow!' signal speeds to the brain." Dr. Katharina Zimmerman, the team lead for the study, believes that these triggers can be blocked by creating a TRPC5 blocker that can be applied topically directly to your teeth to help treat dentin hypersensitivity.

"For centuries, oil of cloves has been used as a remedy for tooth pain. The active agent in oil of cloves is eugenol, which happens to block TRPC5." Eugenol has already been used in toothpaste that is available on the market, but this study's findings may help find more leads to treating cold hypersensitivity.

In the meantime, if you are feeling any discomfort or sensitivity, please visit our dental office so we can assess your teeth and gums and recommend a treatment plan to get you back to optimal health and comfort.

What Causes Worn-Down Enamel?

There are many reasons why your enamel can become weak and worn down, leading to tooth sensitivity. Some of the major causes are:

1. Aggressive brushing: excessive pressure with a hard-bristled toothbrush can erode your enamel. To prevent this from happening, opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush to ease and regulate the pressure.
2. Acidic Food and Beverages: food and beverages that are high in acid can erode your tooth enamel, which protects your tooth, and cause tooth sensitivity. This process is also known as tooth erosion. This process can change the appearance of your teeth, cause tooth sensitivity, and also allow for bacteria that can cause cavities or infection to enter. Some common acidic foods and drinks to limit consumption include sugary drinks and snacks, citrus fruits, and tomatoes.

How to Manage Tooth Sensitivity to Cold

Here are some remedies to help you treat sensitive teeth and manage their cold sensitivity better so you can enjoy a cold treat during the warm summer days!

1. Drink Through a Straw: drinking through a straw lets cold liquids bypass your teeth, which can prevent triggers to tooth sensitivity.
2. Eating Cold Foods Differently: try to eat cold foods differently to avoid having direct contact with your teeth. For instance, for ice creams and sorbet, lick them instead of biting down on them and the plus point being, you get to savour it longer!
3. Consider Treating Dentin Hypersensitivity with Topical Agents recommended by our dentists at Kaydental.
4. Practice Good Oral Care: reduce the risk of an "ice cream toothache" by making sure you are brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing every day. Maintaining a good oral care routine can help prevent conditions such as enamel-wear or receding gums that can lead to sensitive teeth.

Can I Still Eat Ice Cream?

The answer is: yes! You can still enjoy ice cream moderately since it has plenty of calcium which is essential for healthy teeth and bones. However, don't forget, ice cream is packed with sugar and can weaken your enamel.

Try to look for low-sugar ice cream, or other frozen treats such as sorbets that you can make at home to control the amount of sugar intake. Try to brush your teeth around 30 minutes after you enjoy your dessert, or if you can't, rinse your mouth with water.

Overall, regular dental care is essential for your oral and overall health, especially in the summer when we're enjoying cold treats like ice cream! Since dental decay (cavities) can also cause tooth sensitivity to cold, it is important to have the cause of your tooth sensitivity diagnosed by a dental professional. Contact our dental office today to book your regular dental visits to maintain your beautiful, radiant smiles or to follow up on any oral health concerns you might have!

Resources:

• ScienceAdvances
• Crest
• Dentistry Today
• BBC News
• Sensodyne