Ever wondered why you can’t enjoy ice cream and popsicles in the summer like most other people? Does the thought alone of crunching down onto a piece of ice send chills up your spine? Well, this kind of sensitivity to cold is not naturally a characteristic of your teeth. However, it is typically a sign of a weakened dental structure. There are several pathways to this type of tooth sensitivity.

Good dental hygiene will keep your smile as bright as possible. A healthy smile is your best introduction to the world. Letting dental hygiene slip for too long will ultimately affect that smile as well as your social life. The appearance of teeth is only a part of the repercussions from poor dental hygiene. Aside from how the world will see you, unhealthy teeth and gums can have uncomfortable consequences inside your mouth.

Whenever your tooth meets something cold, and there’s a stinging sensation in the tooth, that means you have an exposed root in your tooth. The root is where the pulp of the tooth is supposed to be hidden from any contact. Any contact with cold liquid or air will trigger the nerve endings in the pulp, causing extreme discomfort. The gums and enamel breaking down from poor hygiene is only one of the ways that leads to this sensitivity.

The uncomfortable sensation can also come from an accident in your mouth that has left your tooth exposed. Certain dental procedures are also common ways that teeth are unintentionally left susceptible to sensitivity. This sensation does not have to be the result of biting down on popsicles or ice cream. Even the cold air passing by and through the tooth can cause the same discomfort. To avoid this sensitivity to cold, the protective gums and enamel must be kept strong through good dental hygiene.