Cold Sensitive Teeth Treatment | Cost, Side Effects, Recovery Time

If the thought of drinking ice-cold water makes you wince or avoid sipping hot coffee or ice cream, chances are you suffer from teeth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is a common problem in India, affecting one in three people. But most people don’t seek treatment, believing there is no solution for sensitive teeth. Read on to learn more about cold-sensitive teeth treatment.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

Sensitive teeth can happen due to natural wear and tear as we age, but there are several reasons for tooth sensitivity. It could result from rigorous brushing or using a hard-bristled toothbrush. Brushing with too much force could wear down the protective layers of the teeth, exposing microscopic tubes that lead to the dental nerves. Sometimes, using tooth-whitening toothpaste or alcohol-containing mouthwashes for a prolonged time could lead to tooth sensitivity. Gum diseases, like gingivitis and plaque buildup, also cause the tooth enamel to wear away. If your teeth are cracked, chipped, or decay around the edge of fillings, it could lead to teeth sensitivity.

Cold Sensitive Teeth Treatment Options

Home Remedies

Aloe vera is an age-old remedy for tooth sensitivity. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera help cleanse the gums and teeth. Scoop out the gel from an aloe vera leaf and blend until you get a frothy liquid. Apply this to the sensitive area or use it as a gargle.
Oil pulling is another age-old remedy that helps remove toxins and bacteria from the mouth. Take a mouthful of sesame or coconut oil and swish it around the mouth for at least 20 minutes before pouring it out. You must do this on an empty stomach in the morning. This also helps maintain oral hygiene.
Fresh guava leaves have an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic effect. Chew a few tender guava leaves every morning for short-term relief from tooth sensitivity and toothache. You can also boil the leaves and add salt water to use it as a mouthwash.
Garlic is an effective home cold-sensitive teeth treatment thanks to allicin, which kills bacteria that lead to tooth decay.
Saltwater is one of the easiest solutions for tooth sensitivity as it helps fight bacteria and dental plaque.

At-Home Dental Cold Sensitive Teeth Treatment Options

You must consult a dentist if your teeth remain sensitive even after trying these home remedies. This is especially important if you experience a receding gum line, have swollen gums, or have dental plaque. Depending on the severity of the problem, the dentist may suggest solutions. If the sensitivity isn’t severe, the dentist may recommend a desensitising toothpaste or tooth gel. These toothpastes have desensitising agents like metal ions, potassium, and oxalates that block the tubules in the dentine, a complex and porous tissue that lies just below the enamel.

In-Office Cold Sensitive Teeth Treatment

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride protects and strengthens the enamel and is naturally found in potatoes, grapes, shrimp, and fish. The dentist may recommend in-office fluoride treatment if you aren’t getting enough fluoride through water. This involves applying highly concentrated fluoride to the teeth using a tray, swab, or brush. While it takes less than five minutes to apply the fluoride, you may have to wait for 30 minutes to allow the minerals to be absorbed into the teeth. Also, you must not eat or drink for the next hour until the fluoride is completely absorbed.

Bonding

Dental bonding is an excellent cold-sensitive teeth treatment as it involves sealing the nerve endings with bonding material to protect them from hot or cold food. The dentist prepares the teeth for bonding by roughening and moistening them before applying the tooth-coloured bonding material and shaping it into place. Bonding is preferred to other treatments because it does not involve removing the enamel. If you are looking for cold-sensitive teeth treatment cost for bonding, it ranges anywhere from INR 3,000 to INR 15,000. However, costs vary depending on the hospital’s location and the facilities offered by the cold-sensitive teeth treatment hospital in India.

Surgical Gum Graft

Gum grafting is a cold-sensitive teeth treatment that covers exposed teeth roots, adds volume to the gum line, and improves overall health. During the procedure, the dentist removes healthy gum tissues from the roof of the mouth and places them in the areas where the gums have receded. There are different types of gum grafting surgeries: connective tissue grafts, free gingival grafts, and lateral grafts. Cold-sensitive teeth treatment recovery time for a surgical gum graft is gradual. Patients must follow treatment guidelines like avoiding flossing or brushing at the treatment site, avoiding strenuous exercise and smoking, and taking antibiotics.

Root Canal

If tooth sensitivity leads to severe pain, the dentist may recommend a root canal where they remove the inflamed tooth pulp, clean and disinfect the area, and place a filling to seal the space. This helps prevent further damage and protects the tooth.

To prevent tooth sensitivity, we suggest you brush your teeth twice daily using a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste