In mid-August the heat really bites across the Axarquía. To cool down, nothing beats a good artisan ice cream on a stroll through Torre del Mar, an ice-cold slushie or a glass of iced water at the beach bar. However, for many people this moment of pleasure instantly turns into torture because of tooth sensitivity: a sharp, intense, stabbing twinge in the teeth that lasts just a few seconds but makes them put their dessert aside.
This discomfort is what we medically call dentine hypersensitivity, or sensitivity to cold. At Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic, located in Torre del Mar, we see many patients in summer who suffer from this problem every day. Today we want to explain, from a clinical point of view, why your teeth react so painfully and how we can help you solve it so you can enjoy the summer again without fearing the cold. Protect your smile from temperature changes! 🛡️
Where the twinge comes from: the anatomy of an exposed tooth 🤔
Normally, the inner part of the tooth (where the nerve is) is well protected by two thick layers: the enamel on the visible crown and the gum covering the root. Sensitivity appears when the enamel weakens or the gum recedes, exposing an inner layer called dentine.
Dentine is not solid; it is made up of thousands of microscopic channels (dentinal tubules) that connect the outside directly to the nerve of the tooth. When you eat an ice cream or have an ice-cold drink, the cold stimulus travels at high speed through these tiny channels, hitting the nerve directly and causing that unpleasant twinge. ⚠️
Why does that protection wear away? 🚩
Tooth sensitivity is not a disease in itself, but a warning sign that something is going wrong in your mouth. The main reasons the dentine becomes exposed are usually:
- Traumatic brushing: brushing your teeth too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush doesn’t clean better; it wears away the enamel and gradually damages the gum, exposing the necks of the teeth.
- Bruxism (teeth clenching): daily stress or tension at night makes the teeth grind against each other with too much force, causing microcracks in the enamel and severe wear on the biting surfaces.
- Acidic food and drinks: cola, citrus juices or dressings with lots of vinegar chemically weaken and soften the enamel (dental erosion), speeding up its loss.
- Gum problems (periodontitis): tartar building up below the gum line causes chronic inflammation that destroys the supporting bone, making the gum recede and leaving the roots completely unprotected.
How do we treat tooth sensitivity at Acosta Cubero Clinic? ⚙️
To get rid of sensitivity to cold for good at our practice in Vélez-Málaga, we first identify the exact cause so we can apply the most conservative and effective dental treatment:
- Professional desensitising treatments: we apply high-concentration gels or varnishes in the clinic that seal the open pores of the dentine, blocking the cold from reaching the nerve straight away.
- Rebuilding the necks of the teeth (aesthetic fillings): if aggressive brushing has worn the tooth and created a step near the gum, we seal it with tooth-coloured composite resin to restore its natural protection.
- Periodontal treatment: if the cold hurts because you have tartar build-up and receding gums, we will carry out a deep clean to remove the bacteria and stabilise the health of your gums.
- Night guards: if the cause is bruxism, we design a custom-made splint to stop you unconsciously wearing down your enamel while you sleep.
Don’t let the cold spoil your holidays in the Axarquía! 😊
Living with tooth sensitivity to cold drinks affects your quality of life in summer and stops you enjoying the little pleasures of the season. Don’t resign yourself to hot drinks only or to avoiding ice cream for fear of the pain.
If this summer your teeth complain every time you have something cold, get in touch with Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic in Torre del Mar (Vélez-Málaga). We will check the condition of your enamel and gums to offer you a quick, long-lasting solution. Smile again and cool off with complete peace of mind! ✨
