You step outside on a crisp and cold winter morning, take a deep breath, and OUCH — your tooth just shot a jolt of pain into your jaw. Sound familiar? If cold air, icy drinks, or even your morning coffee seem to be making your teeth talk back this season, Carol Scuro, DMD, Bradford Emery, DMD, Nicholas Emery, DDS, and our entire Emery & Scuro DMD, PC team in Rochester, New York, stand ready to help.
Tooth sensitivity is often a sign that the protective layers of your teeth aren’t doing their job as well as they should. Beneath your enamel is dentin, studded with tiny tubules that connect directly to your nerves, and when that dentin gets exposed, anything cold becomes a trigger.
Studies show that between about 10% and 30% of people experience this kind of sensitivity in response to temperature changes. In winter, a few extra factors come into play that turn mild sensitivity into pain signals:
Breathing in icy air, especially through your mouth, can directly hit the surface of your teeth and cause sudden pain. Stepping from a warm house into frigid outdoors (or vice versa) causes your teeth to contract and expand quickly, which can aggravate cracks or trigger nerve endings.
Over time, aggressive brushing, acidic foods, or grinding (bruxism) can wear down your enamel. Once that protective armor is thinner, dentin becomes more exposed, and cold hits the tooth’s nerves more easily.
If your gums are pulling back, whether from gum disease, brushing too hard, or wear and tear, the roots of your teeth may be exposed. Unlike the crown, those roots don’t have enamel to protect them, which means cold air and drinks hit sensitive areas head-on.
Winter’s dry indoor heat can sap moisture from your mouth. Saliva helps protect your teeth by neutralizing acids and washing away bacteria, so when it’s reduced, your enamel gets even more vulnerable.
You don’t have to grin and bear it. Here are some practical steps that may be helpful, right alongside your routine dental care:
If your sensitivity and pain persist or feel more intense than just seasonal discomfort, it might be time to get it checked. This is where help from your professional dental team can go a long way.
At Emery & Scuro DMD PC, we offer a range of services that can help protect and restore your smile throughout the year. Whether you need preventive care to catch early enamel wear, tooth-colored fillings to seal decay, or even root canal therapy if a nerve is involved, we’ve got options tailored to your needs.
Remember, sensitivity isn’t just a winter quirk; it’s your body telling you something is up with your teeth. With the right care and a solid dental routine, you can enjoy cozy soups, hot cocoa, and winter walks without wincing every time you breathe.
Let’s make your smile comfortable all season long! Call 585-684-8423 or use online booking to schedule a visit with us today.
