Struggling with sensitive teeth? You’re not alone! Almost everyone will deal with tooth sensitivity at some point in their lives, and chronic sensitivity is also common.
However, a lot of the information out there only addresses generalized sensitivity or is focused on sensitivity to cold temperatures. What happens when your tooth is only sensitive to heat? If you’re looking to find out why that happens, and what you can do to treat it, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll cover:
- What Causes Hot Sensitivity in Teeth
- What Can You Do?
- Treatments Your Dentist Might Offer
Let’s jump right in!
What Causes Hot Sensitivity in Teeth
If you’re experiencing dental sensitivity to heat, the first question you probably have is why. While there’s no perfect one-fits-all answer, there are some common causes that are likely to apply to you!
Compromised Enamel
The most common cause of dental sensitivity, to both hot and cold temperatures, is compromised enamel. The enamel is the thin, hard outer layer of your tooth that protects the inside. It can get worn down over time, exposing the sensitive dentine beneath.
While enamel erosion is impossible to avoid completely, it can be minimized by addressing common causes, such as acidic food consumption and tooth grinding.
Exposed Roots
Another common cause of heat sensitivity is exposed roots. The roots of your teeth don’t have enamel to protect them, as they’re normally covered by the gums.
However, many things can cause the gums to recede, including genetic gum disease, tobacco product use, and aggressive brushing.
Dental Cavities
Not keeping up with your dental hygiene, or consuming an excess of sugary or starchy food, can cause plaque to form on the surface of your teeth. This bacterial build up, and the acids released by the bacteria, can wear small holes in the enamel of your teeth over time, leading to a cavity forming.
Once a cavity is present, the inner dentine layer and sometimes even the root of the tooth can be exposed, leading to increased temperature sensitivity.
Cracked Tooth
Cracked teeth can occur from biting into something that is too hard, or sustaining an injury. Tooth decay can also increase the risks of cracking your teeth. When a tooth is exposed to changes in temperature, it expands (with heat), and contracts (with cold.)
While these changes are usually unnoticeable, a cracked tooth can make them extremely painful. If you’re having tooth sensitivity only to hot temperatures, it may mean you have a cracked tooth.
This is because expansion can sometimes be more painful, while the contraction may not cause noticeable pain.
Dental Infection/Abscess
If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to a severe tooth infection, and even nerve death. When a nerve dies, it leaves behind a gas that expands rapidly when exposed to heat, causing extreme pain.
As the nerve isn’t functional, you might not experience any cold sensitivity, or even pain relief with cold. These infections are serious, and can have major negative consequences for both your oral and overall health.
If you are experiencing tooth or jaw pain, swelling, or notice any puss, it’s important to go see a dentist right away.
What Can You Do?
Heat sensitivity can be a real pain - everyone wants to be able to enjoy a hot meal or beverage without discomfort! Plus, it can be an indicator for an underlying problem that needs to be treated before it gets worse. So what should you do if you’re experiencing heat sensitivity?
See Your Dentist
The only sure way to treat dental temperature sensitivity is to see a dentist. As mentioned above, most heat sensitivity is due to an underlying problem that can only be fixed by a dentist or other oral health professional.
While going to the dentist can be difficult, it’s important to go as soon as you can to avoid a worsening problem (and more dental visits to resolve it!) If you have anxiety around the dentist or financial barriers to accessing care, still reach out to your local dentist's office to see what they can do.
Many dentists will be able to provide you with a plan to minimize dental anxiety (or a recommendation for medication), and provide payment plans or insurance advice to help you get the treatment you need.
Home Remedies
While going to the dentist is the only way to resolve tooth sensitivity, there are things you can try at home to minimize your pain before you can get an appointment.
It’s important to note that these are not cures for heat sensitivity, and not recommended for injured or severely infected teeth.
- Saltwater rinse: A safe bet to help alleviate tooth discomfort is a salt water rinse. To make one, bring water to a boil, then remove it from the heat and add in a teaspoon of salt to every eight ounces of water, and stir so it dissolves. Once the water has cooled to lukewarm, you’re ready to rinse!
- Desensitizing toothpaste: Traditional tooth pastes may worsen sensitivity, so you could consider using a desensitizing toothpaste. Nano-hydroxyapatite based toothpastes are especially good for sensitive teeth, as they work to remineralize the enamel while preventing further tooth decay.
-
Avoid hot triggers: While it can be an inconvenience, it’s best to avoid common triggers for tooth pain while you wait to see a dentist. These include things like coffee, soup, and any food that’s still steaming hot. Along with causing you pain, consuming these triggers can worsen any injury your tooth may have.
- Clove oil for pain relief: Clove oil is commonly used to numb or minimize tooth pain. This essential oil contains eugenol, which is a natural anesthetic and can also work to reduce inflammation. While clove oil is generally safe, you should consult with your dentist or another oral health professional before use, especially if you have an injured or infected tooth.
- Turmeric for pain relief in the sensitive: Turmeric can be used not just for cooking but also as an anti-inflammatory. Curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used as an agent to promote wound healing, in Ayurvedic treatments, and in treatments for digestive disorders. You can apply ground turmeric to your teeth to improve dental health and reduce discomfort from sensitive teeth. An alternative would be to combine 1 tsp turmeric, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp mustard oil to produce a topical paste. For pain treatment, apply this paste to the gums and teeth twice a day.
- Green tea: Another substance with well-established health advantages is green tea. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, it has been employed in research on cardiovascular health and cancer prevention. Oral health is another benefit of green tea. Use unsweetened green tea as a mouthwash twice a day to strengthen teeth and soothe inflammation in sensitive teeth.
Treatments Your Dentist Might Offer
So once you get a dentist appointment, then what happens? What treatment they recommend will depend on what the root cause of your sensitivity is.
However, here are some of the common treatments your dentist may recommend.
Enamel Strengthening
If your tooth sensitivity has been caused by worn enamel, enamel strengthening can help to reduce or even completely eradicate your sensitivity.
This can be done in the dentist's office through in-office remineralization, but it’s also crucial to work in lifestyle changes to increase enamel strength and minimize wear. These include things like avoiding acidic drinks, and usings a remineralizing toothpaste.
Gum Recession Treatments
If your sensitivity has been caused by an exposed root, treating your gum recession will be the first course of action. Unfortunately, gums do not grow back on their own, even if the damage has stopped.
This means that to recover the exposed root, dental bonding or gum grafts will be necessary. Keeping up good dental hygiene habits, avoiding nicotine use, using a soft bristled brush, and avoiding over brushing are all great ways to protect your gums.
Cavity Fillings
If you have a cavity, then getting it treated should resolve any tooth sensitivity or pain you have been having. Treating a cavity involves a dentist cleaning out the infected area, and refilling the hole.
Fillings can be made from amalgam (a composite of different metals), gold, or a tooth colored composite.
To prevent getting cavities, keep up with regular brushing and flossing, visit the dentist regularly, and minimize eating sugary or starchy foods, especially if you won’t be brushing for a while after eating.
Root Canal
If the infection has spread to the root of the tooth, a root canal will be needed to resolve it. This is similar to a cavity filling, but requires the dentist to work further into the middle of the tooth to remove the infected dentine, and address an abscess that has formed.
The area is cleaned and disinfected, then filled with a rubbery material. The tooth is then capped or crowned. While root canals are not any more painful than other types of dental treatment, and anesthesia is used, recovery may be uncomfortable for a few days as the tooth will still be sore.
Addressing Teeth Grinding
Many people grind their teeth, and may not even know they do! A lot of grinding and clenching occurs at night. Teeth grinding can lead to headaches and jaw pain as well as enamel erosion and sensitivity, so if you’ve noticed these symptoms, mention them to your dentist!
If you’ve been grinding your teeth, you can be fitted for a cushioned mouth guard which will prevent further wear and allow your teeth to recover.
Additionally, you’ll likely be advised to look into minimizing stressors and working on getting a restful night's sleep.
Expert Opinion
Dental expert Dr. Anjum Chaudhary, BDS, MDS, explains that “Tooth sensitivity is a common issue with various potential causes. It often occurs when the enamel of the tooth wears down due to different reasons.
Tooth sensitivity can be caused by factors such as dental procedures, diseases, and tooth injuries.
Treating the underlying cause of tooth sensitivity can provide long-term relief, while a variety of over-the-counter, at-home, and prescription treatments can help alleviate discomfort in the meantime.”