Have you ever walked outside on a winter day to find a sharp pain pulsing in your teeth? It’s an unexpected issue for many people and can be disconcerting at first. Temperatures can have a significant impact on teeth when enamel erodes, and it’s important to understand the potential causes of weather-related sensitivity. Understanding this sensation, along with speaking with your dentist, is the best way to resolve the issue.

Causes of Tooth Pain During Winter

1. Enamel Erosion

Enamel is the only protective layer your teeth have, and when it wears down, they react stronger to temperature changes. Whether you were born with weak enamel or have worn it down by brushing too hard, over-whitening your teeth, or from untreated decay, it’s a primary cause of tooth pain in cold weather. Weak enamel opens the door for several oral health issues, which is why you need to speak with your dentist about fortifying it.

2. Gum Disease

Gingivitis and gum disease cause your gums to recede, exposing sensitive dentin, and this is also accompanied by enamel erosion. Many people with gum disease have a cold sensitivity since their nerves are more exposed, though that’s one of the lesser problems. Gum disease can lead to serious infections, and when untreated, tooth loss. It’s been tied to cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurodegenerative conditions, which is why you need to see a dentist for immediate treatment.

3. Contraction & Expansion

Teeth extract and expand in response to extreme temperature changes, and when this occurs in the cold, slight cracks emerge on the surface, leading to discomfort. This is a natural process, and it’s often unrelated to oral health problems. However, you should still alert your dentist so they can make sure there aren’t other underlying causes.

If you’re experiencing wintertime toothaches and would like to consult a dentist, contact the professionals at Stanley R McCardle DMD | Family Dentistry in Headland, AL. For over 25 years, this practice has welcomed patients of all ages and provided routine cleanings, extractions, dentures, and implant restorations. Send them a message online or call (334) 693-2112 to schedule an appointment.