As May arrives, the good weather and the heat finally settle in across Vélez-Málaga and the whole Axarquía coast. It’s the perfect time to enjoy an ice cream, a slushie or an ice-cold drink on a terrace. Yet for many people this simple pleasure turns into real torture because of a sharp twinge in their teeth: tooth sensitivity to cold.
If you avoid biting into cold food, or even the air bothers you when you breathe through your mouth, you have tooth sensitivity. At Clínica Dental Acosta Cubero, in Vélez, we want you to know that this pain isn’t normal and you don’t have to get used to living with it. Find out why it happens and how we can sort it out before summer arrives!
What exactly is tooth sensitivity? 🤔
Our teeth are protected by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. Beneath this shield lies the dentine, a tissue containing thousands of microscopic tubes (dentinal tubules) that connect directly to the nerve inside the tooth.
When the enamel wears away or the gum recedes (leaving the root of the tooth exposed), the dentine is left open to the outside. When it comes into contact with cold, hot, sweet or acidic stimuli, those tubules send the sensation straight to the nerve, causing that intense, short, sharp “jolt” of pain that makes you jump out of your seat.
Why does enamel wear away or gums recede? 🌟
Your enamel has several “silent enemies” that cause this annoying condition. At our clinic in Vélez, the most common cases we treat are due to:
- Aggressive brushing: using a toothbrush with very hard bristles or brushing too hard “sands down” the enamel and pushes the gum back, leaving the root unprotected.
- Bruxism (clenching your teeth): constant friction, especially at night, wears down and cracks the enamel severely.
- Acidic diet: too many fizzy drinks, citrus juices or energy drinks chemically erode the tooth’s protective layer.
- Gum disease: gingivitis or periodontitis destroys gum tissue and bone, exposing the tooth roots, which are extremely sensitive. ✨
How do we treat tooth sensitivity at Clínica Acosta Cubero? ⚙️
The good news is that it can be fixed! Among our dental treatments, the right one will depend on the cause of the problem. After an accurate diagnosis using our digital technology, Dr Inmaculada Acosta and her team can offer you effective, pain-free solutions:
- Desensitising varnishes and gels: we apply professional products with a high fluoride concentration that “seal” the open pores of the dentine almost immediately.
- Neck fillings: if wear has created a “step” at the base of the tooth, we fill it with aesthetic composite matched to the colour of your enamel to protect the nerve.
- Gum microsurgery: if your gum recession is severe, our periodontics specialists can carry out a small graft to cover the exposed root again in a natural, aesthetic way.
- Night guard: if bruxism is the cause, we’ll design a custom-made splint to protect your teeth from wear at night. 🦷
Get ready to enjoy a pain-free summer in Vélez! 😊
Don’t let the fear of a twinge spoil your meals or your outings with friends this season. Desensitising toothpastes from the chemist help, but only a professional diagnosis will tackle the root of the problem.
Get in touch with Clínica Dental Acosta Cubero in Vélez-Málaga and book your check-up. We’ll assess the condition of your enamel and gums and offer you a quick, conservative treatment. Enjoy your favourite cold drinks and ice creams again with complete peace of mind! ✨
