During particularly sizzling summer days, one of the best ways to keep cool is to drink a lot of ice-cold water, but for some people that can cause an all-too-common dental pain to rear its ugly, throbbing head.
Sensitive teeth do not always manifest as toothache, but it is often a particularly sharp jolt of pain whenever you eat or drink something cold or in some cases warm as well.
It can be caused for a variety of reasons, and if your teeth regularly feel sensitive it is probably time to book an appointment with your dentist, but the primary cause of sensitive teeth is the aggravation of exposed nerves, which is typically the case when enamel wears off or a tooth is cracked.
However, there are ways to mitigate the feeling of sensitive teeth, and with that in mind here are some top tips to make cold or hot food less painful for your sensitive teeth.
Pair Acids With More Mild Foods
A lot of the foods that contribute to sensitive teeth are overly acidic, such as citrus fruit, tomato soup or fizzy drinks. If you are going to enjoy one of these responsibly, try pairing it with bread, water or cheese to take the acidic edge away from your mouth.
Lick Cold Foods
As tempting as it can be to bite straight into an ice cream on a cold day, licking it instead will allow you to avoid the cold sensation on your teeth, as well as stop too much sugar from clinging to your teeth.
Switch Your Toothpaste
There are a lot of desensitising kinds of toothpaste and mouthwash on the market that can provide relief from tooth sensitivity by numbing nerve endings and strengthening the enamel layer.
Talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about which toothpaste might be right for you, and make sure you use one that also contains fluoride to protect your teeth from further damage.