Garak Market Station Dentist - Why Teeth Become Sensitive When Drinking Cold Water

Hello. I’m Shin Seung-hwan, the chief director of Yonsei Uline Dental Clinic, Garak Market Station Branch, near Garak-dong, Songpa-gu.

When drinking cold water, when cold air gets in, or when eating sour fruit, you may have experienced that your teeth feel “ah” and become sensitive at least once. The causes of this sensitivity can largely be divided into two types.

The most common cause is when the gums recede and the root part of the tooth becomes exposed. This is often referred to as “sensitive teeth.” As people age, the gums naturally recede to some extent.

In particular, people with misaligned teeth or thin gum tissue tend to experience faster gum recession.

The outer part of the tooth, meaning the crown, is covered with hard enamel, which blocks outside刺激 and temperature to some extent. So this part does not easily become sensitive.

However, the root part of the tooth is originally a structure that should be protected by the gums and inside the jawbone. When the gums recede and it becomes exposed to the outside, that protective layer is lost and it becomes very sensitive to external stimulation. At that point, sensitivity can appear even from cold foods or wind.

In such cases, if the sensitivity is still mild in the early stage, you can try toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. There are very tiny channels on the tooth surface, and through these channels, stimulation is quickly transmitted to the nerves, causing the sensation of sensitivity.

Sensitive-teeth toothpaste contains ingredients that block these tiny channels, and using it alternately with regular toothpaste may help relieve symptoms.

However, if it is not simply gum recession, but the recessed area has become worn down or, because it has not been properly managed, even cavities have developed, then the situation is different. In such cases, treatment may be needed to fill the worn area with a material called resin.

If you avoid brushing because it hurts or miss the right time for treatment, caries can progress inside the tooth, and later it may not end with simple resin treatment, but can move on to root canal treatment and crown treatment.

If the sensitivity continues, it is better not to leave it untreated and to identify the cause through an examination.

For people with sensitive teeth, brushing method is also important. When the teeth are healthy, brushing side to side or up and down does not cause major problems, but when the roots are exposed, the root surface is vulnerable to wear.

At this time, brushing strongly back and forth can make root wear progress faster, so it is necessary to develop the habit of brushing gently, preferably in an up-and-down direction.

Another point: sometimes the gums have not receded overall, but one or two specific teeth feel sharply worn when touched with the tongue.

In such cases, rather than gum aging or gum disease, it may be a phenomenon where the side surface of the tooth wears down and the outer layer peels away due to malocclusion or teeth grinding.

Although it may not look as if the gums have receded, wear on the side of the tooth can cause sensitivity and discomfort. In this case as well, it is better to identify the cause through an examination and decide on the necessary treatment.

Tooth sensitivity is not just a minor discomfort; depending on how it is managed, the scope of treatment can vary greatly. If the discomfort keeps recurring, please do not dismiss it lightly and get an accurate diagnosis.